1.

The interaction function

The interaction function enables people to perceive changes and stimuli that occur
both inside their bodies and in their environment, to interpret or process them and
generate coordinated responses in order to survive.

1.1 Perceiving stimuli

*A stimulus is not the same as the feeling or sensation it produces. A sensation is how
our brain interprets the information sent by the receptors about the different stimuli.

The interaction function can be divided into three stages: the perception of stimuli, the
processing of the information received and the generation of an appropriate response.

A stimulus is a physical or chemical change that takes place outside or inside the body
and triggers a response in it.

Our bodies contain a series of specialist cells, called receptors, which perceive stimuli
and send the information they detect to the coordination centres for processing.

Types of receptors
Receptors can be either internal or external.
Internal receptors are those that perceive changes inside the body, such as a
rise in blood sugar levels. They are spread all over the body and provide
information about its general condition and state.

External or sensory receptors are those that perceive stimuli in the external
environment. Depending on the nature of the stimuli they perceive, receptors are
classes as:

- Mechanoreceptors, which perceive mechanical stimuli such as pressure,

vibration or movement.
- Thermoreceptors, which perceive changes in temperature.
- Chemoreceptors, which detect chemical substances in the air, water, etc.
- Nociceptors, which perceive pain.
- Photoreceptors, which are light-sensitive.
1.2 Processing information

The coordination centres receive the information sent by the receptors, process it,
generate orders and send them to the effector organs. The coordination centres are the
nervous system, which is responsible for nervous coordination, and the endocrine
system, which is responsible for endocrine coordination.

The nervous system

The nervous system is responsible for analysing the internal and external stimuli
perceived by the receptors, generating orders and sending them to the effectors. It
carries out these functions through nerve impulses, which are a kind of electrical
current that is transmitted between the cells that make up the nervous system. These
cells are called neurons.

The nervous system coordinates fast, short-lived responses, such as muscle

contraction.

The endocrine system

The endocrine system is made up of a series of endocrine glands, i.e. glands that
release the substances they generate in to the bloodstream. These substances are called
hormones. Hormones coordinate the internal organs by triggering chemical reactions.
This system coordinates responses that are slower but longer-lasting than those
coordinated by the nervous system.

1.3 Responses

Effectors are the organs responsible for executing the bodys response. They include
muscles, which respond by contracting, and endocrine glands, which respond by
secreting substances.