The nervous system is responsible for
Breaking down food and extracting nutrients
Defending against disease like the flu or common cold
Exchanging gases between the body and the environment
Receiving and processing stimuli from the body
and the environment
Regulating body temperature
Controlling and coordinating body movements
Maintaining homeostasis
The nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing stimuli from the body.
The nervous system is not responsible for breaking down food and extracting nutrients or exchanging gases between the body and the environment. The correct answer is that the nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing stimuli from the body and defending against diseases like the flu or common cold.
To understand why, let's break it down:
1. Breaking down food and extracting nutrients: This is mainly the responsibility of the digestive system. It involves the process of digestion, absorption, and elimination. Organs like the stomach, small intestine, and liver are involved in this process.
2. Exchanging gases between the body and the environment: This is primarily handled by the respiratory system. The respiratory system includes the lungs, which facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the external environment.
3. Receiving and processing stimuli from the body: This is the main function of the nervous system. It allows the body to sense and respond to different stimuli, both external and internal. This includes things like touch, temperature, pain, and even complex information like sight, sound, and taste. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, which transmit and process these messages.
4. Defending against diseases like the flu or common cold: While various systems contribute to the body's defense against diseases, the nervous system also plays a role. The immune system, which is responsible for fighting off infections and diseases, can receive signals from the nervous system to trigger an immune response. The brain can also regulate certain immune functions and produce chemicals that can help fight infections.
To summarize, the nervous system is responsible for receiving and processing stimuli from the body and defending against diseases like the flu or common cold. Other bodily systems, such as the digestive and respiratory systems, handle tasks like breaking down food and extracting nutrients or exchanging gases between the body and the environment.