7

NERVOUS SYSTEM
SYLLABUS5
Revisit learning of earlier classes
Types of nerves sensory, motor, mixed (tunction
only). Cranial and
spinal nerves (only definition and number). and
Structure of a motor neuron.
Central nervous system (CNS) in detail with its
parts and their
functions.
Reflex action definition and basic terms used to
action (stimulus, describe reflex
response, impulse, receptor, effector), common
examples of reflex action.

COORDINATION
(i) Nervous coordination
You have learnt in This
your previous coordination is brought about
classes about
many life by the
processes, like nervous
system. consists of the
It
digestion, respiration, excretion, etc. going brain, spinal cord, nerves and the
on in our
body. These processes do not
Sense organs. How does nervous
function
independently but
related. They also depend theythe inter
are system operate in our body ? Let us
upon general take an example:
needs of the body.
The interlinking of these When you feel
activities of a living being as per the needs hungry,you eat food.
of the body The act of
internally or
externally is called eating food involves a
number of coordinated activities.
coordination. There are two
types of
coordination viz, (1) nervous coordination YOur eyes look at the food
the table. Your
placed on
and (ii) chemical coordination. brain records thi
information and the action starts. The
Concise BIOLOGY- Middle School-8-
64
 activities such
et the nmessage and they are Kegulates
involuntary
the
the beating of
.
raised
The hands hold the plate in s breathing o r about
whch the food is kept. The fingers our
thinking
heart, without
up the
ick up the food and push it into the
them
h
m o u t h .
The food goes down through UNIT OF
canal and after a series STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL
the alimentary NEURON
in the body, reaches the NERVOUS SYSTEM THE
ot processes is made up
blood stream to fulfil the requirements The nervous system
cells or neurons.
that had arisen
when you felt hungry. of special cells called nerve

lt someone suddenly happens to come A neuron is made up of two

main parts
a running car, the driver
()a main cell body called cyton,
in front ot
instantaneously applies the brakes. In process called
axon.
2 a long The
this situation, in a fraction of a second, The cell body contains a nucleus.
the eyes watch and the message dendrites are cytoplasmic extensions
of the
as well as an order
goes to the brain, cell body. From the cell body arises
one

is sent to the leg muscles to press the long process called the axon. Its length
brakes. millimetres to I metre.
may vary from a few
i) Chemical coordination : This The end of the axon terminates in a number
terminal
coordination is brought about through of branched filaments called
chemical messengers called hormones. branches.
An example of this category is given
below
In an emergency situation, if you are DENDRITE-

suddenly attacked bybull in the

a CYTON
(CELL BODY)
street, you try to run away from it. In NUCLEUSS
such a situation, certain chemicals i.e.
hormones are released into the blood
to provide you extra energy and
strength to run. NODE OF RANVIER

FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM DIRECTION

INTERNODE AXON OF
The nervous system in our body IMPULSE

pertormsthe following major functions: SHEATH

1. Keeps us informed about the outside
world through the five sense organs.
2. Enables us to remember, think and
reason.
TERMINAL
3. Controls and harmonises all MOTOR NERVE
BRANCHEs
ENDINGS IN A
voluntary muscular activities, e.g., MUSCLE
running or even holding this book in
Fig. 7.1 A nerve cell or a neuron
your hand while you are reading it.
65 -Nervous Svstam
 There are three kinds of neurons.

neurons: These carry

1. Sensory AXON
mpulses from the
sense organs to the
spinal cord or brain.
2. Motor neurons: These carry impulses
from the brain and spinal cord to the
muscles and glands. -$nuT
3 Association neurons: These transmit TERMINAL BRANCHES
impulses from one neuron to another.
The neurons do not actually touch
EWERANE
each other. They communicate with
one another via synapses where the
axon terminal of one cell impinges on
the dendrite of another (Fig. 7.2).
-DENDRITE
Fig. 7.3 Structure of the
SENSORY NEURON
CELL BODY
NODE OF RANVIER NERVE synanapse
CELL BODY
A nerve is
DIRECTION 3 formed of aa

DENDRITES
O FCONDUCTION AXON ASSOCIATION
NEURON
(nerve fibres) enclosed bundle nt
in a of a
FROM
SYNAPSE medullary sheath. This tub
tab
RECEPTOR
2
AXON
SYNAPSE
CELL
axon acts like an sheath
insulation and over
TO MUSCLE BODY mixing of impulses in the preve
OR GLAND
AXON
MOTOR
NEURON are three kinds of nerves adjacent
fibres.T
1.
as
described belbelmo
Sensory nerve: It
B MYELIN SHEATH DENDRITES contains oni
sensory neurons, e.g. optic
Fig. 7.2 Three types of neurons eye. nerveoft
motor and association),
(sensory, NERVE FIBRES
synapse NERVE
between them and the direction
of
transmission of nerve impulse
A is
synapse a small junction used for
communication between two neurons.
It is at the
synapse (Fig. 7.3) that the Fig. 7.4 Nerve fibres grouped into a nerve
message is transmitted from the axon of one
neuron to the dendrites of the 2. Motor nerve : It
next neuron. contains only moto
This transmission takes place because of the neurons, e.g. nerves going to the
secretion of a specific chemical called muscles of the eyeball.
neuro-Ae
transmitter. Messages relayed in this manner 8. Mixed nerve : It is the which
w
from one neuron to the next
one
allow the carries both sensory and motor
unidirectional flow of impulses. neurons, e.g. the nerve which goes
to

Concise BIOLOGY the tongue.

Middle School-8
66
 AN ERVOUS SYSTEM
HUMAN

e r e b r u m is the largest
portion ot the
The lowing two divisions make up the brain. It is divided into two (right and left)
annervous system: I
halves called the cerebral hemispheres. heir
h u m a n
n e r v o u s

central nervous system or CNS:It outer surface is folded with ridges

and

1.cistsof the brain and the spinal cord.

T h e

nsists

hemisphere
w is internally
internally
andbrain
The
The.
the spinalco liesWithin
lies protected wel-protected
within th
the skull, grooves.
Brooves,
inner
hollow.
Each
portion. hemisphere
TheirThe outer
walls portion
have contains
an outer and ce
a
a n d the

within the vertebral column. Dodies of the neurons and is called grey.
or
peripheralnervous number
2 The
The system or PNS:It matter. It accommodates a large
nsists of the nerves arising from or going neurons (human cerebrumcontains about
the central nervous system. These billion neurons). The inner portion of the
to

erves are spread throughout the body. cerebrum mainly consists of axons and is

The peripheral nervous system has two called white matter.

cubdivisions:Somaticnervous system and
atutonomic nervous system. Somaticnervous CEREBERAL
HEMISPHERE
system connects the CNS to the organs,
nuscles and skin. It carries motor and sensory
information both to and from the CNS.
Autonomic nervous system acts largely
unconsciously and controls involuntary HYPOTHALAMUS
PITUITARY
bodily activities such as heart rate, dilation
CEREBELLUM
MIDBRAIN MEDULLA
and constriction of blood vessels, etc. OBLONGATA

section
BRAIN- Fig. 7.6 Brain in median
CENTRAL
NERVOUS The cerebrum is the seat of intelligence,
SPINAL
SYSTEM all
consciousness and will power. It controls
CORD
SOMATIC
NERVOUS the voluntary activities.
SYSTEM PERIPHERAL
NERVOUSS Cerebellum is much smaller and is located
SYSTEM
AUTONOMIC under the cerebrum. Its main function is to
NERVOUS
SYSTEM balance the body and coordinate muscular
activities. The cerebrum decides an action,
whereas the cerebellum implements the
action. For example, if you get an idea to stand
in the cerebrum, but the
up and walk, it arises
muscles involved in this process contract or
Fig. 7.5 The human nervous system
relax under the control of the cerebellum.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(Cerebellum gets affected by alcohol. That is
1. THE BRAIN
The brain has three main parts: why, an alcoholic is unable to coordinate his
muscular movements properly.
) The cerebrum, (i) The cerebellum, and
ii) The medulla oblongata.
- Nervous System
67
 PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SY
lowvest part o
is the
cord
The peripheral nervous vstems
em cote
o b l o n g a t a

Medulla
uto
the spinal
of nerves which connect th stem
th
system to all parts of the bodyntral
a n f n i n e s
of
a c t i v i t i e s
pathetic

thebrain the i

ts
tuncton
is ho e v nr tm
Fr
ol
ple,
beating
alimentary
of the

peripheral nervous
The
vervos (OPposite
times of fe
organs of the em i
nternal

autdihd
eristalsis
bnwthing. may
result into somatic system
nervo
and dilatesth
heurt. tv the
medulla

anal

in the
e.

devth
Injury

ot a pTsOn.
nervous system.

1. Somatic nervous system

onemi, vesselss

rate. The

SPINAL
CORD
2 THE
e n t e n d s trom
the medulla It consists of two sets of
nervee
r e s p o n s i

of the e
The spinalcond almost through (A) Cranial nerves and
r u n s down
brain and slowing
of the the
the backbone. In (B) Spinal nerves
the whole length ot white and No
the arrangement of Cranial
spinal cord, from that in the brain.
nerves emerge from the wavs

matter is reversed
grev
the grey matter made
There are welve pairs of
cranial ner Volun
Here. theinnerpart is the outer part is the
some of which are nerves Involu
while
up of cellbodies, sensory like the olfactory (for
white matter made up of axons. 1
optic (for eyes) and nose
The main functions of the spinal cord
ears), auditory (or
are
1. To control reflexes below the neck.
motor nerves like ne ones going
the eye muscles, and
2. To conduct messages from the skin
mixed nerves like those
and muscles to the brain. going to and
3. To conduct commands from the brain coming from the face and
tongue.
to muscles of the trunk (or torso) and B. Spinal nerves: There are
thirty one pairs
limbs. of spinal nerves which arise from the
PARTS OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
spinal cord. A typical spinal nerve is a
mixed nerve. Each
AND THEIR MAIN
FUNCTIONS of a
pair of nerves consists
sensory nerve, that carries
BRAIN from messages
Cerebrum sernsory organs suchskin to the as
Intelligence, brain or spinal cord. In
reverse, there is
consciousness, memory a motor
nerve that
and will power. brings order from the
brain or spinal cord to
Cerebellum - Muscular coordination,
effector organs
such
Medulla oblongata body balance. as
glands and muscles. It involves
Breathing, digestion, both, voluntary and
beating 2.
involuntary activity.
SPINAL CORD
of the heart, etc. Autonomic nervous system
Controls reflexes below the The autonomic
nervous system consists
Conducts messages from neck. of
pair chain of nerves and
a of
muscles to the
skin and
brain.
a mass of gangneon
cytons of nerve cells) found
Conducts commands either side of the
muscles of trunk and from brain to
controls the
backbone. This syste
limbs. involuntary activities of tne
Concise
BIOLOGY Middle School-8 internal organs. It
operates
68 througn two
 systems the andsympathetic
parasym-
etic syste which are antagonistic Reflex
Ref action quick, immediate
and

nsirvoussts OPposite)in
h) in their actions. For
pathe

example, in
action is the quic
utomatic response to stimulus
the
lus witnou a
without

i n n e so t
fear,
ar, the
sympathetic nervous system involvement of the brain.
e the pupilof the eyes, constricts
vided i l a t e s

of the skin and accelerates the

the
heart
The shortest pathway of the nerve impulse
omic selarasympathetic
Vessels

nervous system is whicn

Om a receptor to the effectorcalled a
the nakes a reflex action possible is
r a t e . .

esible for constriction of the

sponsible
pupil reflex arc.
eS,
o ft h e e y e s , dilation of blood vessels and
s l o w i n g
down of the heart rate. Grey
matter
S Now,
the nervous system acts in two STIMULUS
Receptor ln skin
inter
neuron

actions
the
S, the or
responses being: Sensory
RECEPTOR Hot object neuron

ain. oluntary-(perfoz consciously) and ORGAN

ves, TavoluntaryPertormed unconsciously). SENSORY

NERVE
Sensory
Motor neuron
Motor
Spinal
Cord

1. Voluntary actions (occuring SPINAL neuron neuron

White
CORD matter

se), knowingly) : For example, you wish to

MOTOR Direction of 3
for watch some programme on TV NERVE impulse
Effector muscles
MUSCLE
and you SWitch it on and press the ACTION contracts

to remote for a particular channel. A

Similarly, you pick up an apple and Fig. 7.7 A. Pathway ofa reflex are
B. Diagram of a reflex arc
nd eat it.
. 2. Involuntary actions (occurring Stimulus received by the sensory receptors (in the finger)

irs unknowingly, also called Reflexes)

he For example, some particle falls into Impulse is generated and carried along by sensory
neurons towards the spinal cord
and there is immediate
a your eye
ts flushing of tears to wash out the the
nerves towards
Impulse travels through spinal
2S particle (glandular secretion). spinal cord

e
Instantaneous withdrawal of hand
when it accidentally touches a hot Impulse arrives at the nerve endings of sensory neurons

iron (muscular movement).

The impulse passes across the relay neuron (or
interneuron, present between a sensory and motor
REFLEX ACTION neuron) to the motor neuron

The peripheral nervous system and

Impulse travels along the motor neuron away from
spinal together control certain actions
cord the spinal cord
where brain is not involved, e.g. if you touch
a hot object or get pricked by a pointed object, The nerve endings of motor neuron connect effector organ
without
you instantly r e m o v e your hand,
or musclee

called
thinking about it. Such an action is
a

effector organ or muscle

Response is produced by
reflex action.

Nervous System
69
 REFLEXES
WITH EXAMPLES SOME BASIC TERMS IN T
SYSTEM HE FUN
FioninUNCTCTOION
TYPES OF NERVOUS SYsTEHE
OF NERVoUS
OF
Reflexes are of luv types ( 1 ) Natural
(inborn) retlenes
and (2) Conditioned To understand
funet the
nervous system, you
(acquird) retleves.
in the tollowing
the
should be
following basic terms:
1. Natural
which no
(inborn) reflex is

previous experience
one

or 1. Stimulus:
Any usually
famimililar wy
learning is required. These reflexes environment that chano.
ange in
are inborn, i.c. inherited from the change in the
activity of the results
parents. Eamle: 2.
Response: The
Blinking and watering of eyes due to the activity of thebody
stimulus.
coughing, sneezing, vomitting: 3. Impulse: A wave of electricaldi. br
these are protective reflexes. that runs
through the nervesal disturban
Salivation (when hungry), 4.
Receptors: The
swallowing, peristalsis: provide sense
receive the stimulus. organs hich
functional efficiency. 5. Effector: Any muscle
2. Conditioned (or acquired) reflex is the response occurs. or glandwh
one which develops during the The above terms can be
lifetime due to experience or learning.
Some examples of conditioned
taking an
example understood
of
sudden rem
. nderstood
hand on
touching a hot object. emoval oi
reflexes are -
Heat is the stimulus.
Watering of mouth (salivation) at The nerve cell in
the sight of a favourite or tasty the
food. Here, as an acquired reflex,
receives the stimulus is skin that
the
salivation occurs because our brain The 'sensation' receptor.
travelling through the
nerve is the
remembers the taste of the food impulse.
due to a
previous experience. The muscle of the hand
Typing the command from the "brain'" receiving the
on
keyboard of a is the effector.
computer. The contraction of the
muscle for
Playing a musical instrument. withdrawing hand is the response.
the

REVIEW QUESTIONS
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Put a tick mark (v)
against the correct alternative in the
(a) Medulla
oblongata controls following statements:
(i) Smelling
(ii) Beating of heart and
respiratory movement
Concise BIOLOGY-Middle School-8
70
 Intelligence and will power

)Balancing of the body

Balance of body is controlled by

(i Spinal cord 1) Cerebellum

ii) Cerebrum
(iv) Medulla
iood causes
The smell ot good watering of your mouth. It is
( ) Natural reflex ii) Acquired reflex

i ) Inborn reflex iv) Ordinary reflex

The
structural and functional unit of nervous system is

(i) Axon (ii) Nephron

i i ) Neuron (iv) Dendron

short Answer Questions

fast speed. Suddenly, a small boy comes in front of your

driving your
are driv bicycle at a
the brakes and the
are
You
1
ie and without any time in thinking, you immediately
wasting ply
ident is avoided. What name is given to such an action ?.
°**000** 0********0000***10 000***0**°********

Name the following:

a) The long, extended process ofa neuron:. .
(b) The point of
contact between wo neurons AH... ********

which carries both sensory and motor neurons:. AM ALA

(c) The kind of nerve
d) The nerve which connects the eyes to the brain:
connects the nose to the brain .. ALAIAA.ALLZLL
fe) The nerve which
which connects the ears to the brain. LAuic.kah.ALZL
( The nerve

ie LALAIA.
(g) Two sub-divisions of the peripheral nervous systemA
of the autonomic nervous system: j l a i a l d
.. .
h Two parts
3. Define the terms:
******

**************************************************************
(a) Coordination ..

***********

*****************************°****°****************** *

Synapse
**************.

c) Impulse
*********************************

***

***s *********
(d Reflex action *********************'***'****

********"*******°°******************************°*******°****

Reflex arc *****************************

Nervous System
 (Write the answers in your notebook)
Long Answer Questions
the tollowingR Pairs of terms on the basis of
is df
1. Differentiate betnen what
wlhss
is
brakets indicated
(Stimnulusand response
(detinition) within
) Reptor and ettector (examples)
Motor nerve and sensory nerve (function)

Cranial and spinal nerves (number in pairs)

, Cenbrum and medulla oblongata (function)

Cerebrum and spinal cord (arrangement of white and grey matter)

2. IWith the help of a suitable diagram, describe the structure
and function of a n.
Brietlv describe the structure of the cerebellum in human brain and heuron.
mention .its functio
Mention the three functions of spinal cord.
5. With the help of a suitable example, describe reflex action.
6. Briefly differentiate between the
following by giving examples
Voluntary and involuntary action
JInborn and acquired reflexes.