Final answer:
The nervous system's general function is to mobilize the brain and body for action, controlling both voluntary and involuntary movements, and is crucial for the fight or flight response during emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general function of the nervous system is to mobilize the brain and body for action. This system is imperative for controlling movement, with multiple parallel systems overseeing muscle control. The motor system, with aid from the motor cortex, cerebellum, and basal ganglia, is responsible for voluntary muscle movements, while nuclei within the brain stem, along with the spinal cord, handle involuntary muscle functions such as heart rate and breathing.
Moreover, human movements are comprised of actions at the joints, motion of individual organs, and cellular movement. The nervous system acquires information from sensory organs, processes this information, and produces responses, which could be movements initiated by motor functions or physiological changes. Additionally, in situations that require emergency responses, the nervous system is involved in the fight or flight response, overseeing actions such as contracting blood vessels to increase blood flow.