Difference Between Nervous Tissue and Nervous System

The ability to respond to stimuli is considered as one of the basic features that can be used to define a living organism. This is achieved through a system where it receives sensory information and integrates them to coordinate a response accordingly. Such a system is referred to as the nervous system that coordinates most of the body activities as a response to different stimuli. It is one of the essential organ systems present in the body for the survival, growth and development of an organism. The nervous system is considered as one of the organ system present in the body whilst the nervous tissue is defined as the tissue component of the nervous system. This is the key difference between nervous tissue and nervous system.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Nervous Tissue
3. What is Nervous System
4. Similarities Between Nervous Tissue and Nervous System
5. Side by Side Comparison – Nervous Tissue vs Nervous System in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Nervous Tissue?

Nervous tissue is the tissue component of the nervous system that is composed of neuroglia (supporting cells) and neurons. The neuroglia is also termed as glial cells that are present as six different types. Out of six different neuroglia, four types are present in the central nervous system while the remaining two are present in the peripheral nervous system that contains somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

In the central nervous system, the four types of glial cells present are astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes. In the peripheral nervous system, the two type of neuroglia present is satellite cells and Schwann cells.

Neurons contain a cell body, one axon and one or more dendrites that are slender in nature. The cell body contains a nucleus, and Nissl granules or rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). It also contains typical cellular organelles that are required for the production of proteins and other compounds.

The astrocytes are star-shaped cells, and they are the most abundant type of glial cells present in the central nervous system. With regards to its structure, it contains radiating processes to out that assist them in clinging to capillaries and neurons. They anchor neurons into sources of nutrient lines. The chemical environment around the neurons is controlled by astrocytes.

Microglia cells are ovoid shaped small cells that contain thorny processes. They have the ability to be transformed into phagocytic macrophages during the presence of dead neurons and invading microorganisms. The central cavities of the brain and the spinal cord are lined by the ependymal cells that are ciliated. These cells function as a slightly permeable barrier between the tissue cells of the central nervous system and the cerebrospinal fluid. Oligodendrocytes are involved in the synthesis of the myelin sheath that insulates the neurons.

Satellite cells are analogous to astrocytes and are present in the peripheral nervous system that surrounds the neuron cell bodies. Schwann cells are a type of cells that cover all nerve fibres in the peripheral nervous system that produces the myelin sheath.

What is Nervous System?

The nervous system is defined as a system in the living beings, and it coordinates body activities through integrating sensory information that is fed into the system.  With regards to humans, the nervous system consists of all the nerve cells that are present in the body. The nervous system receives information through sensory organs and processes and integrates the received information for triggering responses accordingly. The nerve cells present in the human body are known as neurons. The neuron is the structural unit of the nervous system whilst the reflex arc is its functional unit.

The nervous system is composed of two major components; the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) is defined as the part of the nervous system that is composed of the brain and spinal cord. The function of the central nervous system is the integration and coordination of sensory information. In other words, the integration of sensory information and the suitable response action are the main functions of the central nervous system. The spinal cord functions in the passing of signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord also has the ability to regulate musculoskeletal reflexes without the brain involvement.

The peripheral nervous system could be subdivided into two main categories; somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is defined as the part of the nervous system that is connected with many internal organs. The autonomic nervous system could be further subdivided into two portions; the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

What are the Similarities Between Nervous Tissue and Nervous System?

• Nervous tissue is the main tissue component of the nervous system.
• Both nervous tissue and nervous system are functioning into respond for different external and bodily stimuli.
• Both involve in transmitting nerve impulses throughout the body.

What is the Difference Between Nervous Tissue and Nervous System?

Summary – Nervous Tissue vs Nervous System

The nervous system is one of the essential organ systems of living organisms. The nervous system is a system is a part of many living organisms that coordinates body activities through integrating sensory information that is fed into the system. The nervous system initially divides into two major components; central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system further divides into somatic and autonomic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system could be even further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The nervous tissue is the tissue component of the nervous system made up of neurons and glial cells. Six different types of glial cells are present, among them, four types are present in the central nervous system, and two are present in the peripheral nervous system. This is the difference between nervous tissue and nervous system.

Reference:

1.“Boundless Anatomy and Physiology.” Lumen, Available here
2.“Nervous System: Explore the Nerves with Interactive Anatomy Pictures.” Innerbody. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’416 Nervous Tissue-new’By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site, Jun 19, 2013., (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’Nervous system diagram’By ¤~Persian Poet Gal (talk) – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia