The Nervous System

Objective
s
Define the terms such as neuron, nerve, receptor and
effector.
List and explain the functions of the three types of
neurons.
Explain how messages are sent through the nervous
system.
Create models of sensory and motor neurons.
The Nervous System
The Role of the Nervous System
The nervous system enables us to respond quickly and immediately
to stimuli (changes) in our environment. It serves a fundamental role
in controlling and coordinating various functions of the body.
How are messages sent through the nervous system

When a receptor picks up a stimulus, this information is sent as an

electrical impulse (message) through specialized cells called
neurons.
A bundle of neurons is called a nerve.

A nerve
is a
bundle
of
neurons
A
neuron
is a
single
fibre
Types of Neurons

There are three (3) types of neurons involved in transmitting

electrical impulses around the body.
Sensory neuron
Sends messages from the receptors to the central nervous system
(CNS) Cell
body
Nerve fiber

Nerve ending
receptor
Direction of
impulse
Types of Neurons

Relay neuron
Relays the message within the CNS; it is a connector between the
sensory neuron and the motor neuron within the CNS
Types of Neurons

Motor neuron
Transfers information from the CNS to the effector organs

Nerve fiber

Cell
body Nerve ending

Direction of
impulse
Copy the following and answer in your notebooks to
demonstrate your understanding
 Check Your Progress…

relay neuron
sensory neuron
motor neuron
 The Structure of the Nervous
System
 The Structure of the Nervous
tem

Nervous System

Peripheral
Central nervous
nervous system
system (CNS)
(PNS)

brain Spinal cord

Nerve fibres
 The Structure of the Nervous
tem
The nervous system has two main parts:
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
• Made up of the brain and spinal cord.
• The point where decisions are made
about the best action to be taken for the
stimulus received.
The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• Made up of the sensory and motor
neurons
• impulses (messages) back and forth
between the CNS and the rest of the
 The Structure of the Nervous
tem
More about the brain

Cerebral
hemisphere

cerebellum

Medulla
oblongata
How the Nervous System Works
How the Nervous System Works
The nervous system helps in detecting stimuli. For example; If you smell something burning…
• Your nose (receptor) detects the stimulus (smell)

• Nerve fibers send the message to the brain

• Your brain then sends a message to move your body away or to put out the fire! The part of
your body that responds is then the effector.
How the Nervous System Works

Receptors are sensors on the body that detect stimuli

They convert stimuli into electrical signals (messages) called
impulses.
An effector is any part of the body that produces the response.
Here are some examples of effectors:
a muscle contracting to move the arm
a muscle squeezing saliva from the salivary gland
a gland releasing a hormone into the blood
 The Structure of the Nervous
tem
what happens when a stimulus is detected by a receptor

2 stimulus 3 CNS interprets 5 effector is either a muscle or

through sensory information; decision is a gland. muscles respond by
neuron as an made on how to contracting; glands respond by
electrical respond releasing hormones
impulse Sensory Neuron Motor Neuron
3 5
2
CN
receptor effector
S

1 Direction of impulse Direction of impulse

4
stimul 1 Receptors 4 message leaves CNS to
us receive the effector organ carried in the
stimulus from motor neuron. This signal will
the environment dictate the best response
Copy the following and answer in your notebooks to
demonstrate your understanding
Check Your progress…
Select groups of three. Create models of the sensory and
motor neurons. You will have to present your models to the
class and include an explanation of what happens when a
stimulus is detected by and effector.
Due Date: 1 week from first notice