5 How fast do neurons transmit information? a. 200km/h; b. 300 km/h; c. 400 km/h. A brain weighs about 1400 grams, but intellectual capacities do not depend on that. Albert Einstein s brain weighed 1230 grams. Information transmitted via the endocrine system is much slower. Pineal gland Hypothalamus Pituitary gland Parathyroid glands Thyroid gland Thymus Adrenal glands Pancreas Ovaries (females) Testes (males) to bind: legarsi a gland: ghiandola to induce: causare limb: arto mood: umore spinal cord: midollo spinale 20 BODY AND MIND THE NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS All the parts of the body are interdependent. Two systems control all the body cells: the nervous system and the endocrine system. Both systems transmit information from one part of the body to another, but in different ways, and, together, they are primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. The nervous system The nervous system transmits information very quickly both electrically and chemically from a neuron in one part of the body to another using neurotransmitters which travel unimaginably fast . There are 100 billion neurons in a human brain and up to 10,000 connections, more than the most advanced computer chip. The system plays the role of a coordinating unit responsible for external and internal changes (stimuli) and helps the body to adapt to new conditions. It can be divided into: the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and the spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes the nerves connecting the brain and the spinal cord to other parts of the body, such as the skin surface and the skeletal muscles. It is divided in two parts: somatic nervous system, which includes peripheral nerves that pick up sensory information from distant organs, like the limbs, and carry them to the CNS; autonomic nervous system, which controls the nerves of internal body organs over which humans have no conscious control, like heartbeat, digestion, and unconscious breathing. The endocrine system The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce hormones. Hormones are chemicals that travel via the bloodstream throughout the body , where they bind to receptors on target cells and induce a certain response. Endocrine glands are responsible for almost every cell, organ, and function of the body, and they help control and coordinate metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth, and development. They even transmit information about injuries, stress, and mood. Main endocrine glands The hypothalamus controls water balance as well as sleep, temperature, appetite, and blood pressure. The pineal gland produces melatonin, which is responsible for sleep. The pituitary gland (or hypophysis) regulates a wide variety of metabolic processes. The thyroid and parathyroid control the body s metabolism and regulate the body s calcium balance. The thymus is in charge of producing white blood cells. The adrenal glands are responsible for blood pressure and regulate metabolism and blood sugar levels. The female ovaries contain the egg cells for reproduction and produce oestrogen and progesterone. The male testes produce testosterone and sperm, necessary for reproduction.