The Control Center

-The Nervous System-

7th grade
MAKE ME IN YOUR NOTEBOOK or add onto Neuro System notes at beginning
****This WILL be checked by me for competition***
Goals/Objectives

• Identify parts and functions of the

nervous system.
• Identify behaviors to keep your nervous
system healthy.

No notes, just read!!!!

The brain uses more of the body’s energy
than the rest of the organs, using over ____
% of the energy reserves in the body.

10 20 45 25
What are nerve cells called?

Brain Cells Neutons Neurons Nucleus

The brain has approximately
______ neurons

100 million 30 million 5 billion 100 Billion

Key Terms

 Nervous System
 Central Nervous System
 Peripheral Nervous System

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The Nervous System

 The nervous system carries messages to

and from the brain and spinal cord and all
other parts of the body.
 Composed of 2 parts:
 Central nervous system
 Peripheral nervous system
Central Nervous System Peripheral Nervous System

 The central nervous  The peripheral

system consists of the
brain and spinal cord.
 Relays responses to these
messages to your muscles
and glands as your body
responds to changes in
your environment.  Sense organs
nervous system is
made up of nerves
that branch out from
the CNS to muscles,
skin, internal
organs, and glands.
continually send
messages, such as
odors, sights, or
tastes, to your
brain.
The Brain: the mass of nerve tissue that acts as
the control center of the body is called the brain.

• Human brain weighs about 3 lbs or 1.4 kg

• Creates ideas and controls thinking, reasoning,
movement, and emotions
• The brain has 3 major parts:
– The cerebrum
– The cerebellum
– The brain stem
The Cerebrum

 The cerebrum is the largest part of

the brain and controls your
thoughts and actions.

 Consists
of two halves, called
hemispheres
 The right hemisphere controls the
left side of the body
 The left hemisphere controls the
right side of the body
The Cerebellum & Brain Stem

 The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls

and coordinates muscle activity and balance.
 Example: your ability to catch a ball is a function of your
cerebellum.

 The brain stem is the part of the brain that controls the
functions of the internal organs.
 Example: breathing, digestion, and pumping
of your heart
No notes, just read!!!!
Spinal Cord
 The column of nerve cells that extends
downward from the brain is the spinal
cord.
 Carries messages to and from your brain
and all parts of your body.
 Keeps your brain informed of changes in
your body and in your environment
 Protected by your vertebrae
Basic nerve cell
structure

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Nerve Cells = neurons

• The nervous system is composed of cells called neurons.

– A neuron is a nerve cell that is the structural and
functional unit of the nervous system.
Parts of a Neuron: consists of a cell
body, and axon, and dendrites.

 Cell body is the main body of the neuron.

 Axon is an elongated fiber that carries impulses away
from the cell body to the dendrites of another neuron.
 Dendrites are branching fibers that receive impulses and
carry them to the cell body.
 Neuron Structure
Dendrite
Dendrites carry nerve
impulses toward a
neuron’s cell body.
Cell Body
The cell body controls
the cell’s basic functions.
Axon
Impulses travel along
axons toward other cells.
Synapse
The junction between
an axon and another
cell is a synapse.
Chemicals called
neurotransmitters pass
the impulse from the
sending neuron to the
receiving cell.

Myelin Sheath
Some axons are covered
by a myelin sheath
that increases the speed
of an impulse.
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Sensory & Motor Neurons
 Sensory and motor neurons work together to help you
respond to your environment.

 Sensory neurons carry impulses from the sense organs to

the spinal cord and brain.
 Motor neurons carry responding impulses to muscles and
glands from the brain and spinal cord.
 Cause responses in muscles and glands
Mixed Messages
Test how well your brain can handle conflicting messages.

Material
watch or clock with second hand
Try This
Read the list of words while your partner times how long it
takes you.
Notice that the words in the list are written in different
colors. This time you should say the color of each word as
your partner times you. Do not read the words, rather,
identify their colors.

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Mixed Messages

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Mixed Messages
Think and Discuss
Did it take you more time to read the words or say the colors?
Describe the experience of saying the colors.
Which part of your brain most likely works hardest during this
activity? Which task is your brain better at—reading the words or
identifying their colors?
Once people master basic skills such as tying shoes or reading, they
perform them with little thought. How do you think this fact
affected your results in this activity?
What do you think would happen if you asked a young child who
has just learned to read to do this activity? Explain.
 Reflex Action
• A reflex action is an involuntary action in which a
message is sent to the spinal cord, is interpreted,
and is responded to immediately.
• Do not take a conscious thought and take only a
fraction of a second.

Example: touching a hot stove and quickly pulling your

hand away
1. Sensory neurons carry the message that you touched
something hot to your spinal cord and brain
2. Your brain interprets the message.
3. Motor neurons carry the message back to your
muscles.
4. You respond by moving your hand.
 A Reflex Action
Sensory neurons in your
hand send impulses
to your spinal cord.

Neurons in your spinal

cord process the
information and send
commands directly
to motor neurons that
control muscles in your
arm and hand.
Your muscles contract and
you quickly withdraw your hand.

Meanwhile, messages of pain travel

to the brain. Shortly after your arm
moves, you feel pain.
FYI – Sensory Signals

 Sensory signals are the only signals that travel inward

from the peripheral nervous system to the central
nervous system, and are sensitive to light, temperature,
chemicals, and pressure.
 Motor signals travel outward from the central nervous
system to the peripheral nervous system.
How to Keep Your
Nervous System Healthy
• Wear a protective • Use a safety belt.
helmet for sports. • Avoid drinking alcohol
• Avoid diving into the and using other drugs
shallow water or water that impair the
of unknown depth. functions of the brain.
• Follow directions for • Follow directions for
taking any medications using household
that affect the nervous products that contain
system. chemicals that may
affect the nervous
system.
Head Injuries

• Concussion: a bruise-like injury to the brain

• Coma: is a prolonged period of deep unconsciousness

• Head injuries can be avoided:

• Fasten your seat belt.
• Before diving into water be sure that it is deep enough
and that there are no underwater hazards.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol.
• Wear a helmet when you play contact sports.
Nerve Injuries
• Individual peripheral nerves also can be injured.
• To help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and similar nerve
injuries, it is important to take breaks from repetitive
motions and to maintain good posture.

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Nerve Infections
• Nervous system infections are rare because its tissues are
well protected.
• Meningitis causes inflammation of the membranes
surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
• The most serious form of meningitis can be prevented
with a vaccine.
• A bite from an infected animal can transmit rabies, an
infection of the central nervous system.
• Avoid contact with animals that act sick or behave
strangely.
Epilepsy
• Sudden, uncontrolled nerve impulses in the brain can lead
to a seizure.
• People with a disorder called epilepsy are prone to
seizures.
• Epileptic seizures include facial twitching, loss of
awareness, and muscle spasms.

No notes, just read!!!!

No notes, just read!!!!