The

Nervous
System
 Key Concepts
 Know the function and divisions
of the nervous system (CNS &
PNS) Brain
 Describe the structure of a neuron
 Identify and know the function of Sensory
Neuron
the three types of neurons and the
describe neurotransmission
 Know the main parts of the brain Motor
Skin receptors Neuro
and explain their functions Interneuron
n
 Identify the lobes of the cerebral
cortex Muscle
 Funtion of the Nervous System
 Receive information
externally and internally
 Respond to stimuli
 Maintain stable internal
conditions.
 Neurons

 Neurons are the cells that

carry nerve impulses through
your nervous system
 There are 3 kinds of neurons
 Interneuron -connects motor and
sensory neurons; what the brain
is mostly made of
 Sensory – picks up stimuli from
internal and external sources
 Motor – sends message to
muscle to produce an action or
movement
Neuron Structure
 A neuron is made up of 3
main parts
 Cell body – where the nucleus
and organelles are found
 Dendrites – extensions that
pick up nerve impulses and
carry to the cell body
 Axon – carries the nerve
impulse away from the cell
body and to another neuron
 Nerve impulses travel in
only ONE direction
 Neurotransmission
1. Message travels form the dendrites
through the cell body and to the end
of the axon.
2. The message causes chemicals,
neurotransmitters, to be released
from the end of the axon into the
space between the axon of one
neuron and the dendrites of another
3. The neurotransmitters then travel
across the synapse on the receptors
on the dendrites of another neuron.
4. Once the neurotransmitters have
attached to the receptors the
impulse is passed on.
5. The neurotransmitters are released
from the receptors.
Divisions of the Nervous System
 Central Nervous System (CNS)
 Brain
 Spinal cord

 Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

 All of the nerves located OUTSIDE of the CNS
(senses)
 Main Parts of the Brain
 Cerebrum
 Cerebellum
 Brain Stem
 Peripheral Nervous System
 Consists of a
network of nerves
that branch out from
the CNS.
 Somatic system –
control voluntary
actions
 Autonomic system –
controls involuntary
actions
 Reflex
 Automatic response
that occurs very
rapidly without
conscious control
 Nerve impulse goes
to spinal cord but
NOT the brain; helps
to speed up the
reaction