THE NERVOUS

SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM- SIMPLE PRAC
Whole class stands in 2 lines. Compete against each
other.

1 timer

Squeeze hand or tap next person, then when you feel that,
squeeze/tap the next person. Last person says stop!
WHAT MAKES UP THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK
LIKE?
WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?

• A communication system that controls all parts of the body

• Do you think it controls both voluntary and involuntary movement?
– Use examples to explain your reasoning
• Made up of many neurons, end to end
• Pass electrical messages called nerve impulses from neuron to
neuron
NERVES

• Bundles of neurons form nerves

WHAT DOES THE NEURON LOOK LIKE?

• Very specialised!
• How is the shape of the neuron adapted for its function?
STRUCTURE OF A NEURON

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qS83wD29PY
RESEARCH ABOUT NEURONS
DRAW AND LABEL YOUR NEURON
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF EACH PART ?

• Axon
• Dendrites
• Nucleus
• Axon terminal
• Cell body/soma
• Myelin sheath
2 MAIN TYPES
• Motor neurons and sensory neurons
– Sensory – from sensory receptor to CNS
– Motor – from CNS to muscles/glands (effectors)
LINK BETWEEN SENSORY AND MOTOR
NEURONES
9
HOW NEURONS TRANSMIT A SIGNAL FROM
ONE NEURON TO THE NEXT
• An electrical impulse travels along an
axon.
• This triggers the nerve-ending of a neuron
to release chemical messengers called
neurotransmitters.
• Neurotransmitters diffuse across the
synapse ( the space between two neurons
and bind to the receptor molecules on the
• The receptor molecules on the
second neuron bind only to
the specific chemicals released
from the first neuron.
• This stimulates the second
neuron to transmit the electrical
impulse.
• The process continues until it
reaches the brain, spinal cord or
muscle/gland.
STIMULUS RESPONSE MODEL
STIMULUS RESPONSE MODEL

• There are four main

components of the
stimulus response model.
• Stimulus, receptor,
effector, response.
RECEPTORS-TASTE AND SMELL

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFm3yA1nslE (10 min)

STIMULUS
CONCEPT MAP-REVIEW OF CONCEPTS
SO FAR
• Draw a concept map that shows the link between the following
terms.
• Terms: Body systems, homeostasis, nervous system, brain, spinal
cord, peripheral nerves, neurons, axon, dendrites, cell body, axon
terminals, neurotransmitter, motor neurons, sensory neurons,
stimulus, receptor, effector response, stimulus response model.
TECHNOLOGY HELPS US UNDERSTAND
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Control someone else’s arm!
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSQNi5sAwuc

• Conduction study
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpgsR5jcI8M
 REFLEXES- A RAPID RESPONSE
• Muscles react extremely fast before information being received by the
brain.
• Protects you from danger.
EXAMPLE 1-HOW DO REFLEX ACTIONS WORK- A
REFLEX ARC WHEN YOU TOUCH SOMETHING HOT
 HOW DO REFLEX ACTIONS WORK- A
REFLEX ARC
• Receptors detect a change which activates a sensory neuron.
• The neuron sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord. An
interneuron/relay neuron passes the message to a motor neuron
and sends impulses back to the effectors (muslces in the arm,
leg etc).
• Then the brain receives a message registering pain for example.

• Do: Research, draw and label a diagram showing another

example of a reflex arc.
 EXAMPLE 2-HOW DO REFLEX ACTIONS WORK- A
REFLEX ARC WHEN YOU TOUCH SOMETHING SHARP
EXAMPLE 2-HOW DO REFLEX ACTIONS WORK-
A REFLEX ARC WHEN YOU BLINK
 THE BRAIN
• Controls and regulates body functions.
• It has 3 main parts:
• The Cerebrum
• The Cerebellum
• The Brainstem (Medulla)

Copy the table below and research to find the function of the
following parts of the brain. Clickview: the brain is a good video.
Parts of the brain Function

Cerebrum

Cerebellum

Medulla (brain stem)

 THE BRAIN
• Controls and regulates body functions.
• It has 3 main parts:
• The Cerebrum
• The Cerebellum
• The Brainstem (Medulla)

Copy the table below and research to find the function of the
following parts of the brain. Clickview: the brain is a good video.

Parts of the brain Function

Cerebrum Largest part of the brain that controls your conscious thoughts and
intentional voluntary movement of every part of the body. It also
receives sensory messages from all body parts.
Cerebellum Responsible for co-ordination and balance. Eg walking.

Medulla (brain stem) At the base of the brain , it controls the body’s vital functions such as
CONCEPT MAP-REVIEW OF NERVOUS
SYSTEM.
• Draw a concept map that shows the link between the following terms.
• Terms: Body systems, homeostasis, nervous system, brain, spinal cord,
peripheral nerves, neurons, axon, dendrites, cell body, axon terminals,
neurotransmitter, motor neurons, sensory neurons, stimulus, receptor,
effector response, stimulus response model.
• New terms: Reflex action, interneuron/relay neuron, brain, cerebrum,
cerebellum, medulla, brain stem, blink reflex, standing on something sharp
reflex.