BOW 2

Anatomy and Physiology BOW
Why is it important that the body have two control systems rather than one?

The body's two control systems are in place because they help the body do different things. While the nervous system reacts instantly, the endocrine system reacts slower because it uses hormones which travel through the circulatory system. The Endocrine system utilizes glands located throughout the body, which secrete hormones that regulate a variety of things such as metabolism, digestion, blood pressure and growth. While the endocrine system is not directly linked to the nervous system, the two interact in a number of ways. The nervous system acts more rapidly, as it controls the body’s response to emergencies. When this system is aroused, your heart and breathing rates increase, digestion slows or stops, the pupils dilate and you begin to sweat. The fight or flight system responds by preparing your body to either fight the danger or to run away. The hypothalamus connects these two important communication systems.