Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 19
The Nervous System and
the Senses
What makes a cat want to hunt birds? Why does a cat recognize the
sound of the can opener? How does a cat think? How do reflexes work?
These and many other questions are answered by the intricate feline
nervous system. It is the control panel for every sense and body system.
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal
cord. The brain is the computer that commands the other parts of the
body. Cerebral spinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord and
acts as a shock absorber. It helps prevent concussions when the head is
traumatized.
There are five primary senses: vision, hearing, touch, smell and taste.
There are additional body-monitoring sensors for balance, temperature,
muscle tension and blood oxygen level.
There are millions of stimuli bombarding the nervous system every
second. The able central nervous system makes sense of it all and
preserves and protects each animal, so it is important that it functions
properly. Damage or disease affecting the nervous system can have
far-reaching implications.
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