Question

There are many important physiological parameters that are regulated by both the nervous system and the endocrine system (e.g. blood pressure, blood glucose levels). Make the case for why this dual regulation by these two systems isn’t redundant or wasteful.

Answer 1

Yes, indeed it is true that many physiological parameters examples like blood pressure, blood glucose levels are regulated by both nervous system and the endocrine system but this dual regulation by these two systems isn’t reduntant or wasteful as there lies a very core differences between nervous system and endocrine system which ultimately leads to cover the complete spectrum use in regulation of these physiological parameters.

For example, nervous system usually works on the basis of electrical signals i.e. it shows its action via electrical signals while endocrine system uses hormones which are basically chemicals. Now, due to the use of electrical signals, the response generated by the nervous system is fast thus nervous system becomes very useful in regulating the physiological parameters under sudden stress or emergency situations on the other hand due to the use of hormones endocrine-based response is generally slow thus this type of regulation can be used in maintaining the day to day homeostasis of the physiological parameters. One also should not forget, fast response by nervous system is usually quite short-lived while the slow response by endocrine-based response is usually long-lived.

With all these differences indeed regulating the similar physiological parameters by both nervous and endocrine system, still with together cover the complete spectrum of regulation i.e. from fast to slow response and from short live to long live response. Thus, depending upon the situation and requirement the respective system is usually used. Hence, one cannot say that the use of dual regulation by these systems is reduntant or wasteful.