Final answer:
The nervous system functions to receive, process, and coordinate the body's response to information. The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of the nervous system is to receive information from the environment, process and interpret that information, and coordinate the body's response to it. It is responsible for controlling and coordinating all the functions of the body, including movement, thinking, and breathing.
The basic unit of the nervous system is the neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical signals, called action potentials, between different parts of the body. They have three main parts: the cell body, dendrites, and axon. The cell body contains the nucleus and other organelles, the dendrites receive signals from other neurons, and the axon carries signals away from the cell body.