Biological Systems MCAT Practice Exam

What is the primary role of the nervous system?

1. Digestion of food

2. Control and integration of other body systems

3. Regulation of hormones

4. Production of red blood cells

The correct answer is: Control and integration of other body systems

The primary role of the nervous system is to control and integrate other body systems. It functions by receiving sensory information from the environment, processing that information, and coordinating responses throughout the body. This includes regulating muscle movements, interpreting sensory inputs such as sight and sound, and facilitating communication between different body regions via neural pathways. The nervous system is essential for maintaining homeostasis, which is the body's internal balance. It achieves this by responding to internal and external stimuli, influencing other systems like the endocrine and muscular systems. By sending messages through electrical impulses, it rapidly coordinates actions and reactions, allowing the organism to adapt to changes efficiently. The other choices pertain to functions that are primarily managed by different systems in the body. Digestion, for example, is mainly managed by the digestive system, while hormonal regulation is primarily the function of the endocrine system. The production of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow as part of the hematologic system, not the nervous system. Therefore, the correct understanding of the nervous system's role highlights its integration and control functions crucial for organismal survival and interaction with the environment.