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Even though I was slightly suspicious of our discussion of outputs being generated without the influence of inputs, I think one main point in class greatly cleared up my confusion. An input is defined as a stimuli OUTSIDE of the nervous system. Thus the many instances I was thinking of contradicting the 'output without input' statement were cleared up. A significant amount of our behavior can have stimuli within the nervous system, and yet these do not count as external stimuli. Therefore if a stimuli was generated within the nervous system, any action in response would be deemed an output without an input. Also, the many examples given in class showed that there really are many everyday examples supporting this statement that hadn't previously crossed my mind. Such examples of radioactive decay, seizures, and other topics discussed allowed me to realize that maybe our interactions in the world aren't as clear-cut as they are imagined in the introductory science levels of education. After Tuesday's class, I am much more open to the initially contradictory ideas that our behavior is not necessarily always linked to an input. The advantages of this are endless, but in short, the main point is that the body can act with a sort of 'free-will' without stimuli. While not all outputs without inputs are beneficial to the organism, a body that requires less input for everyday needs is much more independent.

As mentioned in previous posts, the percentage of interneurons compared to sensory and motor neurons is overwhelming. However, I don't think that necessarily supports the idea that the majority of our behavior is directly due to interneuron interactions. One sensory neuron can pick up on a signal, sending it through countless interneurons before it reaches a motor neuron. Less neurons are required for interacting with the outer world than forming the connections between the two. Also, I feel like one sensory neuron can trigger many other interneurons, suggesting a much greater need of interneurons as well. Although I don't have enough background to make any of these claims, we must remember that other factors can take away from this effect.