The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that controls the activities of the body and

how it reacts to
the surroundings (responses to the stimuli).

It is consisting of a well-developed, brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves and highly specialized sense organs.

Components of the human nervous system:

1. Central Nervous System (CNS) – consisting of brain and spinal cord

2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) – consisting of cranial nerves (brain), spinal nerves (spinal cord) and
sense organs.

3.

The Central Nervous System

The CNS is divided into two major parts: the brain and the spinal cord.

The main function of these two organs is to integrate the sensory information and coordinate the body’s response

THE BRAIN

• It is a soft, grayish organ that weighs about 1.4 to 1.6 kilograms and requires a large and constant energy supply to
oversee organ systems ad to perform other important functions (learning, reasoning and memory). It is protected
by the skull.

• The brain is divided into three main parts; Forebrain, Midbrain, and Hindbrain.

Major Parts Sub-parts Functions

Forebrain a. Thalamus The thalamus controls sensory information and memory processing

b. Hypothalamus The hypothalamus controls body temperature, food and water

Intake, biological rhythms, and emotional responses

c. Cerebrum The cerebrum controls, movement, arithmetic, recognition.

(largest part of the brain) auditory, memory, speech, reasoning, emotions and visual

processing.

Midbrain Controls the sight and visual reflexes. Relay information about

voluntary movements from the forebrain to the spinal cord.

Hindbrain Medulla oblongata The pons The medulla oblongata controls the cardiovascular

Pons and respiratory system. serves as a message station between

Cerebellum several areas of the brain.The cerebellum controls skeletal and

muscle movement, posture and proper balance.

Brain Stem The midbrain and parts of the hindbrain make up the brainstem.

It connects the brain to the spinal cord. It regulates essential

survival functions such as breathing and heartbeat.

Spinal Cord

It is a long tube-like structure which extends from the brain. It is composed of a series of 31 segments
and a pair of spinal nerves comes out of each segment. It passes through the vertebral column
(backbone) which protects it

• Both the brain and the spinal cord is consisting of two distinct regions – grey matter and white matter.

• A central canal is also present in both the brain (inside the white matter) and the spinal cord (inside the
grey matter).
 Distribution of Grey matter and White matter in the Nervous System

The spinal cord is responsible in controlling the electrical signals that flow through the brain to the
different segments of the body, the alternating movement of muscles (contract and relaxes) which
allows movement (walking, running, etc.) and reflexes or involuntary actions.

PART THREE: NERVOUS TISSUE

The Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system is composed of cranial nerves (from the brain), spinal nerves (from the
spinal cord) and the sense organs.

Nervous Tissue

Both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system are made up of nervous tissue that
are consists of nerve cells called neurons.

There are three types of neurons, according to their function. These neurons transmit nerve impulses
(electrical messages produced from the sense organs) to the central nervous system

Types of Neurons

1. Sensory neuron or receptor neuron – transmits nerve impulses from the sense organ to the CNS.

2. Relay neuron or intermediate neuron – transmits nerve impulses from the sensory neuron to the motor
neuron. It is located at the CNS.

3. Motor neuron or effector neuron – transmits nerve impulses from the CNS to the effectors or target
organs.

Types of Neurons

Although the size and shape of neurons differ in various parts of the nervous system, they are basically
similar. Each neuron consists of the body containing the nucleus, cytoplasm, and number of nerve fibers
(extended cytoplasm). A nerve fiber is a strand of cytoplasm extending from the cell body.
 Structure of a motor neuron and direction of nerve impulse

Structure of a sensory neuron and direction of nerve impulse

Parts of a Neuron Description

Cell body (soma) The main body of a neuron, consisting of a nucleus,

cytoplasm,cellmembrane,

and organelles. Motor neuron has an irregular shape cell body. Sensory

neuron has a circular cell body.

Dendron The nerve fibers that transmit nerve impulses towards the cell body. A motor

neuron has many dendrons. The end branches of the dendrons are

called dendrites. A sensory neuron has one long dendron.

Axon The nerve fibers that transmit nerve impulses away from the cell body.

A motor neuron has long axons. A sensory neuron has one short axon.

Functions of Neurons

1.Receive signals or information

2.Integrate incoming signals (to determine whether or not the information should be passed through)

3.Communicate signals to target cells (either other neurons, muscles or glands)