ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Nervous system

The nervous system is like a big network of wires in your body that sends messages from your brain to different parts of your body. Your brain is like the control center, telling your body what to do and how to react to different things.

The nervous system is made up of two main parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system includes all the nerves that branch off from the central nervous system to other parts of your body like your arms, legs, and organs.

When your brain wants to send a message to another part of your body, it uses special cells called neurons. Neurons are like little messengers that travel along your nerves to get to where they need to go. They send electrical signals called impulses that tell your muscles to move, your heart to beat, and even help you feel sensations like hot or cold.

The nervous system also helps you react to different things in your environment. For example, if you touch something hot, your nerves in your skin will send a message to your brain to tell you to move your hand away. This happens very quickly and helps protect your body from harm.

Overall, the nervous system is an incredibly important part of your body that helps you move, feel, and react to the world around you.
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