Nervous System

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Functions of the Nervous System:
1. Coordinates the functions of all other organs

in the body / essential body functions;
2. receives, examines, process data, and initiates
appropriate responses;
3. Controls and regulates all activities within the human
body;
4. Is the center of all mental activity including learning,
memory, thought, and speech;
5. Regulates and maintains homeostasis with the help of
the endocrine system;
6. Keeps us in touch with the external environment.
• The basic unit of structure and function in the nervous
Neurons system
• Cells that conduct impulses. * Made up of dendrites, cell
body and an axon
• DENDRITES: branch-like extensions that receive
impulses and carry them toward cell body.
> Dendrites receive impulses from many other axons.
• AXONS: single extension of the neuron that carries impulses

away from the cell body.
>The axon branches out at ending to send impulses to many
different neurons.
3 types of neurons
• Sensory Neurons (Afferent): carry impulses from
sensory organs /outside the body to spinal cord and
brain.
• Interneurons/Associative Neurons: found within brain
and spinal cord, process incoming impulses and pass
them on to motor neurons.
• Motor Neurons (Efferent): carry impulses away from
the brain and spinal cord to the muscles.
Synapse
• Neurons usually do not
connect directly to one
another. A gap called a
synapse controls the
transmission of signals.
• Neurotransmitters cross
the synapse and
stimulate the next
neuron.
TRANSMISSION OF NERVE IMPULSE
• The transmission of a nerve impulse along a neuron from
one end to the other occurs as a result of electrical changes
across the membrane of the neuron. The membrane of an
unstimulated neuron is polarized—that is, there is a
difference in electrical charge between the outside and
inside of the membrane.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS:
Acetylcholine – function in the brain;
Norepinephrine – how the body response to
stress;
Dopamine – muscular activity
Serotonin - body function such as mood
regulation, consciousness, and emotions
Melatonin - sleep and wake cycles.
THE REFLEX
The simple pathway traveled by a nerve impulse

from a receptor organ to the spinal cord and then to
an effector organ.
DIVISIONS OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
THE BRAIN
- Moist spongy organ ; made up of 100 B neurons that do not have the
ability to regenerate.
- Is protected by SKULL,
- Is covered by three of membrane called MENINGES
- the CEREBROSPINAL FLUID bathes the CNS, located within the
middle and inner meninges and helps the brain and spinal cord
from bumps.
Three main sections
• Cerebrum
• 2 hemispheres
• Controls memory, intelligence, muscles
• Cerebellum
• Controls balance, posture and coordination
• Brainstem
• Controls involuntary activities such as breathing
The Cerebrum
* Controls conscious activities,
•
intelligence, memory, language,
muscles.
* Wrinkled with countless folds
and grooves and covered with
an outer layer of gray matter
called the cerebral cortex.
* Divided into 4 lobes
The Cerebellum
Muscle coordination is developed here as well as

the memory of physical skills.
If the cerebellum is injured, your movements
become jerky.
When you see an amazing athlete perform, you
are watching a well-trained cerebellum at work
The Brainstem
Made up of the medulla oblongata, pons and
midbrain.
Medulla oblongata controls involuntary activities
such as heart rate and breathing
Pons and midbrain act as pathways connecting
various part of the brain with each other.
Sometimes called the reptilian brain, because it
resembles the entire brain of a reptile.
Spinal cord
• The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure

made up of nervous tissue, that extends from the
medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar
region of the vertebral column. It encloses the
central canal of the spinal cord that contains
cerebrospinal fluid.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(PNS)
Peripheral Nervous System
. - Connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
- Spinal cord is made up of : 12 pairs of cranial nerves from the brain
and
31 pairs of spinal nerves from spinal cord
TWO DIVISIONS:
1. Somatic Nervous System - consists of cranial nerves and spinal nerves
(skeletal muscles, skin, and other internal organs).
2. Autonomic Nervous System – controls breathing, urination,
hearthbeat, ; controls most of the homeostatic mechanism.
a. sympathetic mechanism – dominates in times of stress such as
“ fight of flight” reaction.
b. parasympathetic mechanism – stimulates the opposite reaction
bringing back the body’s mechanism to the normal state.
DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM
a. Functional in Nature
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Epilepsy
b. Vascular Disorders
• Stroke
• Hemorrhage in the brain
c. Infections
Meningitis cause inflammation of the lining of the meninges
d. Degenerative Disorders
• Parkinson’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease

e. Structural Disorders
• Injuries of the brain or spinal cord

• Belle’s palsy
Show what you know!
1.The Central Nervous System consists of what two
parts?
2.What does the Central Nervous System help

coordinate?
3. What consists the Peripheral Nervous
System ?
4. What is the difference between somatic

and autonomic nervous systems
5. Draw a neuron and label the axon, dendrite
and cell body.
6. Describe what roles the dendrites and

axons play in a neuron’s transmission of
impulses.
7. What are the three types of neurons?
8. What is the sequence of events when

someone taps you on the shoulder? (5 steps)
9. What does the cerebrum enable us to do?
10. Compare and contrast the roles of the

cerebellum and brain stem.

Nervous System

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NERVOUS SYSTEM

Functions of the Nervous System:

1. Coordinates the functions of all other organs

> Dendrites receive impulses from many other axons.

• AXONS: single extension of the neuron that carries impulses

The simple pathway traveled by a nerve impulse

Muscle coordination is developed here as well as

• The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure

• Parkinson’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease

• Injuries of the brain or spinal cord

2.What does the Central Nervous System help

4. What is the difference between somatic

6. Describe what roles the dendrites and

8. What is the sequence of events when

10. Compare and contrast the roles of the

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