Compare and contrast the Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System. Thank you
Since this is not my major area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "Central Peripheral Nervous System. " to get these possible sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_nervous_system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_nervous_system
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/nsdivide.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/P/PNS.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/CNS.html
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) are two distinct components of the nervous system. Let me explain how they differ and how you can compare and contrast them:
1. Definition:
- CNS: The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. It is the main processing center of the nervous system, responsible for interpreting and integrating information received from the PNS.
- PNS: The PNS includes all the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord. It connects the CNS to the rest of the body, allowing for communication and transmission of information.
2. Location:
- CNS: The CNS is located within the cranial cavity (skull) and the vertebral column.
- PNS: The PNS is distributed throughout the body, extending from the CNS to the various organs, muscles, and tissues.
3. Function:
- CNS: The CNS controls and integrates the overall functioning of the body. It processes sensory information, initiates responses, and coordinates body movements.
- PNS: The PNS carries information to and from the CNS. It has two subdivisions: the sensory (afferent) division, which transmits sensory input from the body to the CNS, and the motor (efferent) division, which carries motor commands from the CNS to the muscles and glands.
4. Components:
- CNS: The CNS comprises the brain, which is responsible for higher-order functions like thinking, memory, and consciousness, and the spinal cord, which facilitates the transmission of signals to and from the brain.
- PNS: The PNS includes cranial nerves (12 pairs) and spinal nerves (31 pairs). It also consists of sensory receptors, ganglia (collections of nerve cell bodies), and motor endings in muscles and glands.
5. Protection:
- CNS: The CNS is protected by rigid structures like the skull and the vertebral column, as well as three layers of meninges (protective membranes) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
- PNS: The PNS is not as well protected as the CNS. However, peripheral nerves are surrounded by connective tissues that provide some level of insulation.
When comparing and contrasting the CNS and PNS, focus on their location, function, components, and protection mechanisms. By examining these factors, you can highlight the similarities and differences between the two systems.