Comparison of Systems

1
Comparison of Systems

• Nervous vs. Endocrine

2
Anatomical Arrangement

• Nervous System
• Wired system, specific structure between
  neurons and their target cells
• Endocrine System
• Wireless system organs widely dispersed, not
  related to one another or to their target cells

3
Type of Messenger

• Nervous System
• Electric down axon, chemical (neurotransmitter)
  at synapse
• Endocrine System
• Chemical (hormones) released into blood

4
Distance of Action of Messenger

• Nervous System
• Very short distance (diffuses across synapse)
• Endocrine System
• Long distance (carried by blood to target)

5
Speed of Response

• Nervous System
• Rapid (milliseconds)
• Endocrine System
• Slow (minutes to hours)

6
Duration of Response

• Nervous System
• Brief (milliseconds)
• Endocrine System
• Slow (minutes to days or longer)

7
Major Function

• Nervous System
• Coordinates rapid, precise responses to stimuli
  to maintain homeostasis
• Endocrine System
• Controls responses to stimuli over a longer
  period of time to maintain homeostasis