Interaction function in animals

Interaction function in animals

Organisms have to process information to survive, both from inside their body and from their surroundings, and react appropriately to that information. This is called interaction function, which consists of three processes:

1. Perception of information
2. Processing and coordination
3. Execution of responses

A stimulus is any change in the surroundings or in the living thing itself which can be perceived by it and cause an effect in it. Living things have receptors for each type of stimulus.

We have different systems to process the information which comes from the receptors and prepare the organism to react: the nervous system and the endocrine system. They coordinate the response, involving various parts which work together.

Living things have effectors to carry out the responses, as movements, substances, etc.

Try this exercise. 

Now, try to review some important concepts related to the Nervous system.