Which system operates through electrochemical impulses?

The nervous system operates through electrochemical impulses, which are critical for transmitting signals throughout the body. This system consists of neurons that communicate by generating electrical impulses, known as action potentials, which travel along their axons. When these impulses reach the end of a neuron, they trigger the release of neurotransmitters that cross synapses to transmit signals to adjacent neurons or target cells.

This rapid communication network allows for immediate responses to stimuli, regulating functions such as reflexes, sensory processing, and coordination of activities throughout the body. In contrast, the endocrine system utilizes hormones released into the bloodstream, the digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food rather than impulse transmission, and the muscular system primarily responds to the signals it receives but does not itself generate electrochemical impulses. Thus, the defining characteristic of the nervous system is its ability to perform functions via electrochemical impulses, distinguishing it from the other systems listed.