The Endocrine System
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.3.2
Nervous vs Endocrine System
The central nervous system (CNS) is different to the endocrine system in a few key ways:
Central nervous system (CNS)
- Triggers rapid response.
- Uses electrical signals that are carried by neurones.
- Response is very short.
- Acts on a very precise part of the body.
Endocrine (hormonal) system
- Triggers a slower response.
- Uses chemical messengers that are carried by blood.
- Response can be long-lasting.
- Can act on large areas of the body.
Test yourself on The Endocrine System
Why does thyroxine produce effects that last longer than a nervous reflex?
Why can hormones affect organs in many different parts of the body at the same time?
Why can thyroxine affect the heart, metabolism and body temperature at the same time?
Compared with a nervous reflex, how does a hormonal response to a change in the body typically differ?