The Nervous

System

Functions of the Nervous

System
1. Receives information
-make you aware of the environment
around you
-checks conditions inside of your body
2. Responds to Stimuli
-Can come from inside or outside your
body
3. Maintains Stable Internal Conditions
-When you are hungry, your nervous
system directs you to eat to supply
body with the nutrients it needs.

Stimulus - Response
Stimulus is a change in an organisms
surroundings that causes the organism to
react
Response is an action or change in
behavior that occurs as the result of a
stimulus.
Example:
Stimulus is you are thirsty.
Response is you drink water.
Stimulus is you see a tiger.
Response is ___________.

Word Bank

Nucleus

Axon tip

Dendrite

Cell body

Axon

A
B

Structure and Function of a

Neuron
Neuron: The cells that carry information
through your nervous system.
Nerve impulse: The message that a
neuron carries.
Dendrite: A threadlike extension of a
neuron that carries nerve impulses
toward the cell body.
Axon: A threadlike extension of a
neuron that carries impulses away from
the cell body.

3 kinds of neurons
1.Sensory neurons
2.Interneurons
3.Motor neurons

Motor neuron
A motor neuron sends an
impulse to a muscle, and the
muscle contracts in response.

Sensory Neuron
A sensory neuron picks up
stimuli from the internal or
external environment and
converts each stimulus into a
nerve impulse.

Interneuron
It is a neuron that carries
nerve impulses from one
neuron to another (a bridge).

Brain consists of
1. Cerebru
m
2. Cerebellu
m
3. Brainste
m

Parts of the Brain

Brain Stem: Controls sleeping,
Heartbeat and other life-or-death
activities.
Cerebellum: Controls movement
Cerebrum: Thinking, reasoning,
language, playing an instrument

Partner Chat:
1. List 2 functions of the Nervous
System
2. List the 3 types of neuron
3. Which neuron takes the
message from the brain to muscle.
4. Give example of stimulus and
response.

Divisions of the Nervous

System
Nervous
System

Central
Nervous
System
(Brain and
Spinal cord)

Peripheral
Nervous System
(nerves connect
to body)

Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and spinal
cord.
Brain contains about 100 billion
neurons, all of which are
interneurons.
Is the control center of the body.

Cerebrum
Interprets input from the senses.
Carries out complex mental processes
such as learning, remembering, and
making judgments.
Divided into right and left half.

Cerebrum cont.
Right half controls movement of left
hand and vice-versa.
Right half associated with creativity
and artistic ability.
Left half associated with
mathematical skills, speech, writing,
and logical thinking

Cerebellum

Gives you the muscular

coordination and sense
of balance that keep you
from falling down.

Brainstem
Lies between the cerebellum
and spinal cord.
Controls your bodys
involuntary actions.
Regulates breathing and
control heartbeat.

Spinal Cord
The vertebral column
surrounds and protects the
spinal cord.
The spinal cord is the link
between your brain and the
peripheral nervous system.

Partner Chat:
1. Nervous system is divided into what
two sections?
2. Brain and spinal cord belong to what
section of the nervous system?
3. Which part of the brain helps you
keep balanced?
4. What is the link between the brain
and the peripheral nervous system?

Peripheral Nervous System

Consists of a network of nerves that
branch out from the central nervous
system and function to connect it to
the rest of your body.
43 pairs of nerves make up
peripheral nervous system.
12 pairs originate in the brain.
31 pairs originate in the spinal cord

3rd period

Peripheral
Nervous
System

Somatic
Nervous
System

Autonomic
Nervous
System

 Somatic nervous system

controls voluntary actions such
as using a fork or tying your
shoelaces.
Autonomic nervous system
controls involuntary actions
such as contractions of the
smooth muscles that adjust
the diameter of blood vessels.

Assessment:
1. Which part of the brain controls balance,
posture and muscle coordination.
2. Which specific part of the cerebrum (not left
or right) controls complex thinking such as art
and math. (video)
3. Which system consists of a network of nerves
that branch out from the central nervous
system and function to connect it to the rest
of your body.
4. Which peripheral nervous system controls
involuntary actions
5. Draw a neuron and label its parts: dendrites,
axon, axon tip, cell body and nucleus