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what is the nervous system 7-14 sentences

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The nervous system is the body's complex network that detects, processes, and responds to information from both inside and outside the body. It is broadly divided into the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (all the nerves branching out to the rest of the body). Neurons are the primary cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals, while supporting glial cells provide nourishment, insulation, and protection. The nervous system performs three basic functions: sensing changes (sensory input), interpreting those changes (integration), and producing responses (motor output). The peripheral system itself has two major parts: the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information, and the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing. Communication between neurons occurs at synapses using neurotransmitters, chemical messengers that influence whether the next neuron fires. Reflexes are fast, involuntary responses mediated by pathways that often bypass conscious brain activity for speed and protection. Healthy nervous system function depends on proper development, adequate nutrition, and protection from injury and disease. Disorders of the nervous system—such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathies—can affect movement, sensation, cognition, and autonomic regulation.