Chapter 6 : The Nervous System

Question 1

Comparison of nervous and endocrine response.

Answer 1

Nervous response…
- More rapid
- Impulses travel electro-chemically along axons and chemically across synapses as transmitter substances.
- Response is specific in certain muscles or glands.
- Response is short-lived in reflex muscle contraction.
- Does not influence specific chemical changes.
Hormonal response…
- Slower response
- Impulses travel chemically as hormones in blood.
- Response is widespread over the body.
- Response is long-lasting in growth or metabolism.
- Influences specific chemical changes and regulates metabolism, growth and reproduction.

Question 2

Similarities of nervous and endocrine response.

Answer 2

• Both types of responses are specific, that is hormones produce hormonal activity in specific target cells, and nerves terminate in a specific part of the organism.
• Both involve chemical substances, such as hormones and neurotransmitters.