Neuroscience Resources for Kids - Body System Interaction

All of the systems within the body interact with one another to keep an organism healthy. Although each system has specific functions, they are all interconnected and dependent on one another. The nervous system controls various organs of the body directly. The brain also receives information from many organs of the body and adjusts signals to these organs to maintain proper functioning.

SYSTEM	FUNCTION	ASSOCIATED ORGANS	INTERACTION WITH THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Skeletal System	The skeletal system makes up the framework of the body and allows us to move when our muscles contract. It stores minerals (e.g. calcium, phosphorous) and releases them into the body when they are needed. The skeletal system also protects internal organs and produces blood cells.	Bones (e.g., skull, vertebrae)	Bones provide calcium that is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. The skull protects the brain from injury. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord from injury. Sensory receptors in joints between bones send signals about body position to the brain. The brain regulates the position of bones by controlling muscles.
Cardiovascular System	The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen, hormones, nutrients and white blood cells around the body by pumping blood, and it removes waste products.	Heart, blood vessels	Endothelial cells maintain the blood-brain barrier. Baroreceptors send information to the brain about blood pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid drains into the venous blood supply. The brain regulates heart rate and blood pressure.
Muscular System	Different types of muscles enable motion, generate heat to maintain body temperature, move food through digestive tract and contract the heart.	Muscles (smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscles)	Receptors in muscles provide the brain with information about body position and movement. The brain controls the contraction of skeletal muscle. The nervous system regulates the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract.
Endocrine System	The endocrine system secretes hormones into blood and other body fluids. These chemicals are important for metabolism, growth, water and mineral balance, and the response to stress.	Pineal body, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, heart, adrenal gland, kidney, pancreas, stomach, intestines, ovary	Hormones provide feedback to the brain to affect neural processing. Reproductive hormones affect the development of the nervous system. The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland and other endocrine glands.
Lymphatic System	The lymphatic system protects the body from infection.	Adenoid, tonsils, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen	The brain can stimulate defense mechanisms against infection.
Respiratory System	The respiratory system supplies oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide.	Lungs, larynx, pharynx, trachea, bronchi	The brain monitors respiratory volume and blood gas levels. The brain regulates respiratory rate.
Digestive System	The digestive system stores and digests foods, transfers nutrients to the body, eliminates waste and absorbs water.	Stomach, esophagus, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines	Digestive processes provide the building blocks for some neurotransmitters. The autonomic nervous system controls the tone of the digestive tract. The brain controls drinking and feeding behavior. The brain controls muscles for eating and elimination. The digestive system sends sensory information to the brain.
Reproductive System	The reproductive system is responsible for producing new life.	Testes, vas deferens, prostate gland, ovary, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix	Reproductive hormones affect brain development and sexual behavior. The brain controls mating behavior.
Urinary System	The urinary system eliminates waste products and maintains water balance and chemical balance.	Bladder, urethra, kidney	The bladder sends sensory information to the brain. The brain controls urination.
Integumentary System	The integumentary system reduces water loss, contains receptors that respond to touch, regulates body temperature, and protects the inside of the body from damage.	Skin, hair	Receptors in skin send sensory information to the brain. The autonomic nervous system regulates peripheral blood flow and sweat glands. Nerves control muscles connected to hair follicles.

Neuroscience Resources for Kids - Body System Interaction