Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is the primary role of the nervous system in organisms?

1. Regulating body temperature

2. Receiving and responding to stimuli

3. Transporting nutrients

4. Producing hormones

The correct answer is: Receiving and responding to stimuli

The primary role of the nervous system in organisms is to receive and respond to stimuli. This is essential for maintaining homeostasis and enabling organisms to interact with their environment effectively. The nervous system acts as the body's communication network, transmitting signals between different body parts and coordinating responses to internal and external changes. Through sensory receptors, the nervous system collects information about various stimuli, such as touch, sound, light, and temperature. Once the information is processed, the nervous system orchestrates appropriate responses, whether it's moving a muscle, secreting a substance, or changing behavior. This capability is fundamental to survival, allowing organisms to react to dangers, seek food, and adapt to changes. In contrast, while regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients, and producing hormones are important physiological processes, they are not the primary function of the nervous system. Temperature regulation is primarily handled by the hypothalamus and other systemic feedback mechanisms. Nutrient transport is mainly the function of the circulatory system, while hormone production is predominantly managed by the endocrine system. These systems work alongside the nervous system to maintain overall health and functionality, but they do not define its primary role.