The human nervous system

What is the nervous system?

The nervous system is what allows you to respond

to changes in your environment. It is made up of
all the neurons (nerve cells) in your body.

Stimuli and receptors

A change in environment that you might need to

respond to is called a stimulus e.g. light, sounds,
touch, pressure, pain.

Stimuli are detected by a group of cells called

receptors.

Eyes – contain light receptors

Ears – contain sound receptors also contain
‘balance’ receptors
Nose – contains smell receptors
Tongue – contains taste receptors
Skin – contains receptors sensitive to touch

Central Nervous System

The CNS is where all the information from the
receptors is sent and where reflexes and actions
are coordinated.

The CNS only consist of the spinal cord and brain.

Effectors

Instructions from the CNS are sent along neurons

to effectors. Which are muscles or gland which
respond to nervous impulses and react in different
ways:

- Muscles contract
- Glands secrete chemical substances called
hormones

Different types of neurones

Sensory Neurones = Carry signals from receptors

in the sense organs to the CNS.
Relay Neurones = nerve cells carry signals from
sensory neurones to motor neurones. They are
found in the CNS.

Motor Neurons = nerve cell that carries a signal

from the CNS to the receptors.

Synapses

The connection between two neurones is called a

synapse. The nerve signal is transferred across a
chemical which is diffuse across the gap.

Reflexes
Reflexes are fast, automatic responses to stimuli.
Reflexes can reduce your chance of being injured.

Examples of uses for reflexes:

- If someone shines a bright light in your eyes

your pupils automatically get smaller so less
light gets in your eyes stopping damage.
- Adrenaline is a hormone that gets your body
ready for action if you get a shock your body
releases it automatically.
Stimuli – receptor – sensory neurone – relay
neuron – motor neurone – effector – response.