What is the role of the nervous system in digestion? (1 point)
to provide passage
O of nutrients
throughout the body
• to provide enzymes
O to provide oxygen
to provide electrical © signals to initiate peristalsis
The correct answer is: to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis.
The role of the nervous system in digestion is to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis.
The role of the nervous system in digestion is to provide electrical signals to initiate peristalsis. Peristalsis is the process by which food is propelled through the digestive system via rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the walls of the digestive tract.
To understand how the nervous system accomplishes this, it is important to first know that the nervous system consists of two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all the nerves that extend from the CNS to various parts of the body.
Within the digestive system, there is a network of nerves known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS is sometimes referred to as the "second brain" of the body because it can control many aspects of digestion independently without input from the CNS.
The ENS consists of millions of neurons that are arranged in intricate networks throughout the walls of the digestive organs. These neurons communicate with each other and coordinate the various digestive processes, including peristalsis. When food enters the digestive system, sensory neurons in the walls of the digestive organs sense the presence of the food and send signals to the ENS. The ENS then processes these signals and sends electrical signals to the smooth muscles in the walls of the digestive tract, causing them to contract and generate the wave-like contractions of peristalsis.
So, in summary, the nervous system plays a vital role in digestion by providing electrical signals to initiate peristalsis, which is the muscular movement that propels food through the digestive system. The enteric nervous system, which is part of the peripheral nervous system, controls this process independently within the digestive organs.