The enteric nervous system (ENS) runs throughout the digestive tract and operates largely independently of the rest of the nervous system. Colloquially, it is also referred to as the abdominal brain. Basically, it is responsible for regulating everything that happens throughout the digestive process. What is the enteric nervous system? As the name suggests, the … Enteric Nervous System: Structure, Function & Diseases
Messenger substances are signaling substances that serve to transmit signals and information between organisms or between the cells of an organism. In this process, the signaling substances fulfill different functions. Disruptions in signaling within an organism can lead to significant health problems. What are second messengers? Messenger substances represent differently structured chemical substances that transmit … Messenger Substances: Structure, Function & Diseases
The term eustress stands for “positive stress,” while dysstress means “negative stress.” Both terms are often mentioned in the context of stress management. Stress is not always harmful to the human organism, but can also register positive effects. What is eustress? The term eustress stands for “positive stress”, while dysstress means “negative stress”. Both terms … Eustress: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
In general, we divide our lives into waking and sleeping phases. While we can consciously control the phases of activity in the waking state, this is not readily possible in the sleep phase. The brain controls with a multitude of hormones and messenger substances those processes that switch the body active and inactive and keep … Basic Rest-Activity Cycle: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
The abdominal wall reflex is an intrinsic reflex of the human body that leads to involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles. The function of the abdominal wall reflex is to protect the abdominal muscle from passive overstretching, thereby preventing damage to it. Its absence may indicate damage to the pyramidal tract, for example, as a … Abdominal Wall Reflex: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
Neurotransmitters are something like the couriers of our body. They are biochemical substances that have the task of transmitting signals from one nerve cell (neuron) to the next. Without neurotransmitters, the control of our body would be completely impossible. What are neurotransmitters? The term neurotransmitter already describes the usefulness of these messenger substances very well, … Neurotransmitters: Structure, Function & Diseases
All stimuli that are received by our perceptual organs reach our brain directly via the nerve pathways. In the central nervous system, the brain thus has the most important task. All incoming stimuli are further processed and responded to here. Receptors in the various perceptual areas pick up stimuli and send them directly to the … Stimulus Overload: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Endocrine secretion refers to the release of hormones or mediators (messengers) into the blood. The endocrine glands are responsible for secretion. The released agents are effective even at the lowest concentrations. What is endocrine secretion? Endocrine secretion refers to the release of hormones or mediators (messengers) into the blood. The endocrine glands, such as the … Endocrine Secretion: Function, Role & Diseases
Since the end of the 20th century, it has been known that the brain is capable of forming new cells even in adulthood through neurogenesis. Accordingly, neurogenesis is the formation of new neurons from progenitor and stem cells, which occurs both during embryogenesis and in the adult nervous system. What is neurogenesis? Neurogenesis is the … Neurogenesis: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases
Naratriptan belongs to the group of triptans. The drug is effective against migraine and cluster headaches. What is naratriptan? Naratriptan belongs to the group of triptans. The drug is effective against migraine and cluster headaches. Naratriptan is an active substance from the triptan group. Several different triptans are available in Germany. The selective serotonin agonist … Naratriptan: Effects, Uses & Risks
Interleukins form a subset of cytokines, cellular messengers that control the immune system. Interleukins are short-chain peptide hormones of 75 to 125 amino acids. They mainly control the local deployment of leukocytes at sites of inflammation, although they can also have systemic effects as in triggering fever. What are interleukins? Interleukins (IL) are short-chain peptide … Interleukins: Function & Diseases
Androstenedione is a prohormone from which steroids such as estrone or testosterone are formed in the organism. “Andros” in Greek means “the man,” and the chemical structure is derived from the word suffix “dion.” Both word syllables refer to the fact that it is a sex hormone that has a masculinizing (i.e. androgenic) effect and … Androstenedione: Function & Diseases