Purpose/Function:

Your nervous system uses specialized cells called neurons to send signals, or messages, all over your body. These electrical signals travel between your brain, skin, organs, glands and muscles.

The messages help you move your limbs and feel sensations, such as pain. Your eyes, ears, tongue, nose and the nerves all over your body take in information about your environment. Your nervous system also guides complicated processes, such as thoughts, behaviors, memory and learning.

Other types of neurons control the things your body does automatically, like breathing, shivering, having a regular heartbeat and digesting food.