COLEGIO DE STA. LOURDES OF LEYTE FOUNDATION, INC.

TABONTABON, LEYTE
Brgy. 1 Quezon, Tabontabon, Leyte

Assessment No. 8: The Nervous System

1. List the function of the nervous system.

The nervous system is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system
in the body. It is the center of all mental activity including thought, learning, and
memory. Together with the endocrine system, the nervous system is responsible for
regulating and maintaining homeostasis. Through its receptors, the nervous system
keeps us in touch with our environment, both external and internal.
2. List the divisions of the nervous system and describe the characteristics of each.
3. Describe the structure of neurons and the function of their components. Describe the
location, structure, and general function of neuroglial cells.
4. Define and describe the structure of a nerve, nerve tract, nucleus, and ganglion.
Nerve a whitish fiber or bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the
brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs. Nerves are
the organs that make up the peripheral nervous system. It consists of a cord-like
structure with multiple nerve fibres (also called axons) wrapped in layers of tissue
and fat. This axon has layers of connective tissue around it. This connective tissue is
called the endometrium. This entire nerve is further enclosed in another layer of
connective tissue called the epineurium.
A nerve tract is a bundle of nerve fibers (axons) connecting nuclei of the central
nervous system. Tracts are neural pathways that are located in the brain and spinal
cord (central nervous system). Each tract runs bilaterally; one on each side of the
cerebral hemisphere or in a hemisection of the spinal cord. Some of the tracts
decussate, or crossover, to descend or ascend on the contralateral side.
A nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's chromosomes.
The nucleus is composed of various structures namely nuclear envelope,
nucleoplasm or nucleus sap nuclear matrix, chromatin and nucleolus. The nuclear
membrane forms an envelope like structure around the nuclear contents and is
commonly known as a nuclear envelope.
A ganglion is a collection of neuronal bodies found in the voluntary and autonomic
branches of the peripheral nervous system. A ganglion is a group of neuron cell
bodies in the periphery. Ganglia can be categorized, for the most part, as either
sensory ganglia or autonomic ganglia, referring to their primary functions. The most
common type of sensory ganglion is a dorsal (posterior) root ganglion.
5. Describe a resting membrane potential and explain how an action potential is
generated and propagated.
6. Describe the structure and function of a synapse.
The Synapse is the point of connection between two neurons or between a neuron
and a muscle or gland. Electrochemical communication between neurons takes
place at these junctions. The synapse consists of three elements: 1) the presynaptic
membrane which is formed by the terminal button of an axon, 2) the postsynaptic
membrane which is composed of a segment of dendrite or cell body, and 3) the
space between these two structures which is called the synaptic cleft. Some cells in
the nervous system have as many as two hundred thousand synaptic connections.
Synaptic function is to transmit nerve impulses between two nerve cells (neurons)
or between a neuron and muscle cell. ... The synapse, rather, is a small pocket of
space between two cells where they can pass messages to communicate. A single
neuron may contain thousands of synapses.
7. List the parts of a reflex arc and describe its function.
 Receptor: a specialized part of a neuron that receives a signal.
 Afferent neuron: a neuron that transmits the signal to the spinal cord.
 Interneuron: a neuron in the spinal cord that connects input to output.
 Efferent neuron: a neuron that transmits the signal to the effector.
 Effector: the tissue that turns the signal into action, usually a muscle.

8. Describe a converging and a diverging circuit.

9. Contrast and compare the central and peripheral nervous system.
Both central and peripheral nervous systems are the two components of the nervous
system of vertebrates. Both nervous systems are involved in responding different
environmental stimuli in the environment, maintaining the life. Both nervous systems
comprise neurons with the same physiology.
The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral
nervous system includes all of the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal
cord and extend to other parts of the body including muscles and organs.

10. Describe the relation between the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
The term spinal nerve generally refers to a mixed spinal nerve that carries motor,
sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. The nerves
connected to the spinal cord are the spinal nerves. The arrangement of these nerves
is much more regular than that of the cranial nerves. All of the spinal nerves are
combined sensory and motor axons that separate into two nerve roots.

11. Describe a cross section of the spinal cord.

A cross section of the spinal cord reveals white matter arranged around a butterfly-shaped area
of gray matter. The white matter consists of myelinated fibres, or axons, that form nerve tracts
ascending to and descending from the brain. The white matter is grouped into discrete sectors
called funiculi. The gray matter contains cell bodies, unmyelinated motor-neuron fibres, and
interneurons connecting the two sides of the cord.