Nervous System

Essential Questions

How do the structures of the nervous system relate to its functions?

How are other body systems interrelated to the nervous system?

Nervous System Functions

Function is to gather, process, and respond to information

The information is received from your five senses: vision, hearing, smell,

taste, touchInformation is

received, processed, and responded to in less than 1 second

Neurons

Neurons = nerve cellsMessages travel from neuron to neuron

From your senses, to the brain, and back

Nervous System Structures

Central Nervous System Brain Spinal Cord

Peripheral Nervous System Nerves

The Brain

Three Parts Cerebrum Cerebellum Brain Stem

Cerebrum

Controls Behavior Abstract thought processes, Problem solving Attention, Creative thought Reflection, Judgment Initiative Muscle movements, Skilled movements, Some

motor skills Physical reaction

Occipital Lobe of Cerebrum

• Vision • Reading

Parietal Lobe

• Sense of touch • Response to internal stimuli• Sensory combination and

comprehension • Some language and reading

functions • Some visual functions

Frontal Lobe

• Planning• Reasoning• Impulse Control• Emotions

Temporal Lobe

• Auditory memories & some hearing

• Visual memories & other memory

• Music• Fear • Some language & speech • Sense of identity

Right Hemisphere

The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body

Responsible for spatial perception and emotion

Left Hemisphere

The left hemisphere controls the right side of the body

Responsible for language and logical processing

Corpus Callosum

Responsible for communication between the left and right side of the brain

Cerebellum

Cerebellum Sits at back of head under cerebrum Controls coordination and balance

Brain Stem

Under cerebrum but in front of cerebellum Connects the brain to spinal cord Controls involuntary functions such as

breathing, digestion, heart rate, sneezing, etc.

Divided into Pons Medulla Oblongata

Spinal Cord

Connects the large part of the peripheral nervous system to the brain Information from sensory nerves transmitted up

to brain Brain’s interpretation sends message back to

motor nervesResponsible for simple reflexes (withdrawal reflex,

knee reflex)

Nervous System Structures

Central Nervous System Brain Spinal Cord

Peripheral Nervous System Nerves

Peripheral Nervous System / Nerves

Made up of sensory and motor nervesSensory nerves receive messages and

take to brainMotor nerves receive message from

brain and respondDivided into two parts

Autonomic nervous system Somatic nervous system

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls the movement of Heart Muscle Smooth Muscles found in organs and blood vessels Involuntary Actions

Somatic Nervous System

Controls the movement of Skeletal Muscles Voluntary Actions

The Nervous System and The Circulatory System

Blood vessels run throughout the brain

20-25 percent of body’s entire blood supply goes to brain with each heartbeat

20 percent of the body’s oxygen is used by brain

When you are thinking hard, you may use up to 50% of body’s oxygen

The Nervous System and The Respiratory System

The brain monitors the amount of air in the lungs and the levels of Oxygen / Carbon Dioxide in the body

The brain regulates the rate of breathing

What affects nervous system function?

Physical Injuries are the most common Injured neurons no longer send and receive signals Results in paralysis

InfectionDiseaseChemical Substances

Slow down or speed up communication

Diseases / Disorders of Nervous System

Multiple SclerosisLupusAneurysmStrokeEpilepsyParkinson’s DiseaseBell’s PalsyCerebral PalsyMeningitisAutism

Essential Questions

How do the structures of the nervous system relate to its functions?

How are other body systems interrelated to the nervous system?