A key part of the human nervous system Of all the human body's intricate components, the nervous system is the most responsive to the environment, recognising changes immediately and accommodating them readily. Its complexity, however, also means that it is still one of nature's best kept secrets. On Earth all living things have evolved in the presence of gravity and all biological systems have methods and structures to interpret the force of gravity. Over 300 people have experienced life in microgravity and so far space scientists have observed and studied a wide range of physiological changes. The Neurolab mission will focus much more on the function of the nervous system and the role it pays in regulating our daily lives.
Sensory cells generate electrical signals in response to external stimuli.
The electrical signals are sent to the brain and processed. Sometimes they are returned to the muscles or glands in order to produce the appropriate response. The semi-circular canals as well as the otolith system of the inner ear, along with other sensory organs in the muscles, joints and the skin, as well as vision, help the brain perceive motion or orientation relative to the environment. Any angular movement causes fluids in the canals to send signals to the brain. On Earth this information helps us to keep our balance.