You're down to the last mouthful of breakfast when the schoolbus arrives. As it blares its horn, you glance at your watch which says it's 6:40. Then, you grab your bag and say goodbye, as you make a dash for the door. This is just an example of the nervous system at work. Coordination enables you to use your senses one after the other, or all at the same time. From the second you are born to the moment you die, the nervous system controls how you think, what you do and how you feel. Without it, you will never be able to enjoy life because you wouldn't know how to live it.

      How will you distinguish pleasure from pain if not for the sensory neurons that carry messages from distant parts of the body to the brain? While you're holding a bowl of hot soap for lunch at the cafeteria, the skin on your hands sends messages to the brain about how hot the bowl feels in your hands. The brain then integrates all the messages it receives ( including the steam coming from the soap) and interprets them. If the brain finds the bowl too hot, reflex action will cause you to drop the bowl. All these will take place in a fraction of a second.

      In the lower part of the brain, the brainstem and the cerebellum help you maintain your balance and keep your body upright. Without these parts, you would not be able to climb the stairs to yuor computer room or even carry your heavy bag.

      The higher parts of the brain control your body temperature and appetite. Walking, reaching for objects and running around the campus are also controlled by these parts. Getting into misunderstanding with a friend is another example of how the nervous system works. First, you see the situation you and your friend are in. You also hear what he has to say to you. Then you experience emotins like fear or losing him, or anger and sadness over the disagreement. These emotions will reach your brain, and tears begin to fall. Then, you wipe away the tears in your eyes. Wiping away tears is made possible by the motor nerves which send messages to the muscles, ordering them to contract. Thus, you are able to pick up your books, recite in class and write down your assignment.

      The biggest part of the brain--the cerebral cortex-- helps you to remember, think and reason. It helps you to work on a project, accomplish your task and review for your exams. Not  all the nerves in the body are instructed by the brain, though. The autonomic nerves are concerned with the unconscious activities of the body, like respiration, heartbeat and digestion. These bodily functions are carried out day and night, whether you are aware of them or not.

     If we really think about it, the nervous system is a remarkable ntework that controls our thoughts, emotions and movements. But then, again, thinking itself is a function of this system.