[Get Solution] Compare and Contrast Structure and Function

Advance the discussion or extend discussions already taking place. Responses must add new information not previously discussed. Pose new possibilities or opinions not previously voiced. Consider new factual information tied with critical thinking. Interesting and current research on the topic. Do not simply summarize another student’s post and agree/disagree. Consider starting out posts with, “A research article I found said, Did you know, 3 things I found interesting were…” The nervous system and endocrine system are both masters of internal communication within the body and responds to stimulus at different speeds. The nervous system responds to stimulus through electrical impulses and neurotransmitters within a few milliseconds and is usually short lived, whilst the endocrine system responds to stimulus through hormonal secretion into the bloodstream within several seconds to a day and last for quite some time; several days even (Saladin, 2018).             The nervous system has two components; the central nervous system which consist of the brain and the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system which contains nerves and ganglia. As noted above, the nervous system’s response to stimulus is fast and short lived. Typically, it receives information about changes in the body and external environment then reports it to the central nervous system which processes the information quickly and decides what action to take. Neurotransmitters are released at synapse to specific target cells; mainly muscle and gland cells that carry out responses. Once the stimulus ends, the nervous system stops responding immediately, however, neurons adopt quickly to continuous stimulus (Saladin,2018).            The endocrine system is composed of glands such as: the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids and, adrenal; and of organs such as: the pancreas, ovaries, testes, heart and the kidneys. At the response of a stimulus, hormones are released by the endocrine system into the bloodstream for general distribution throughout the body and are received by target organs or target cells. This response as noted above is rather slow compared to the nervous system but last longer and has a wide spread effect rather than the specific effects the nervous system has on the body. The endocrine system adopts slowly and continues to respond even when the stimulus has ended (Saladin,2018).            Apart from communication and reactions to stimulus, the endocrine and nervous system are similar in others ways; “some neurons trigger hormonal secretion and some hormones stimulate or inhibit neurons, while some neurons and glands act like neurons but release their secretions into the blood stream like endocrine cells. These cells are called neuroendocrine cells; a fusion of the two” (Saladin,2018). In fact, both systems can produce similar effects in organs like the liver; “both norepinephrine (neurotransmitter) and glucagon (hormone) stimulate the liver to break down glycogen and release glucose” (Saladin, 2018). While both systems have seemly similar jobs, the ways in which they are done and the results are often different yet they regulate each other and are quite compatible.