Brain Bee The Nervous System Basic Structure: Consists of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves Made

de up of nerve cells called neurons and supporting cells called glial cells Three main neurons types: Sensory neurons: - Attached to receptors - They are specialised to respond to different attributes of the internal and external environment - Sensitive to changes in light, sound, mechanical and chemical stimuli which promote sensory procedures of vision, hearing, touch, smell and taste - When mechanical, thermal or chemical stimuli to the skin exceed a certain intensity, they can cause tissue damage - Nociceptors are activated which triggers protective reflections and sensation of pain Motor neurons: - Control muscle activity - Responsible for all forms of behaviour eg. speech Interneurons: - They influence simple reflexes - Responsible for the highest functions of the brain - Most in numbers in the human brain Glial cells support neurons Make an important contribution to the development of the nervous system and function in the adult brain Do not transmit information like neurons Neuron architecture: Cell body Axons - A process, an additional compartment to the neuron - Transmits information to other neurons when connected Dendrites - Receive information transmitted by axons Both make up a specialised contact called synapses Neurons are organised into complex chains and networks which are pathways for information to be transmitted through in the nervous system Peripheral nerves: - Long axons - Brain and spinal cords are connected to sensory receptors and muscles by peripheral nerves Spinal cord: - Has two functions - 1) triggers simple reflexes eg. knee jerk, pulling away from hot object or pinprick and other complex reflexes

2) forms a highway between body and brain for information travelling in both directions

Anatomy of the Brain: Brain Stem: Hind-brain - Extension of the spinal cord - Contains networks of neurons that establish centres which control vital functions eg. breathing, blood pressure - Neurons within these networks controls these functions - From the roof of the hind-brain is the cerebellum Mid-brain - Contains groups of neurons - Each mainly use a particular type of chemical messenger but they all project up to the cerebral hemispheres - Thought to moderate activity of neurons in the higher centres of the brain to influence functions like sleep, attention or reward Between-brain, Diencephalon - Divided into: - Thalamus: Passes impulses from all sensory systems to cerebral cortex which sends messages back to thalamus Information travels both ways - Hypothalamus: Controls functions eg. eating, drinking Controls the release of hormones involved in sexual functions