Stimulus and response
As we saw in the topic "The nervous system", we relate to the environment that surrounds us, receiving information from our environment, integrating it, preparing a response and making that response. Thus, we adapt to the different circumstances that surround us and we can live.
The nervous system is responsible for emitting this response, which is carried out by the effector organs (muscles and endocrine glands). There are two types of responses:
- Muscular response: there is a movement in which the locomotor system or the viscera intervenes. These responses are short and short-lived. Two types of muscular response are distinguished:
- Voluntary muscular response: with intervention of the brain, which sends the response to the locomotor system.
- Involuntary or reflex muscular response: only the spinal cord is involved, without the participation of the brain. The spinal cord sends the response to the musculoskeletal system.
- Glandular response: the endocrine glands release chemicals (hormones) that act on the target organs. This response is slow and its action can be very long-lasting.
Game: You can practice with Pavlov's dogs on the Nobel Prize website.