 Sense organs receive stimuli, and are called receptors

 Receptors keep the CNS informed of any change in the surroundings by producing nervous
messages in the form of electrical impulses, called nerve impulses
 Nerve impulses are transmitted to the CNS by nerves
 A nerve impulse is transmitted within a fraction of a second
 In response to a stimulus, the CNS will send impulses to muscles
 Muscles will carry out the required effect, hence they are called effectors
 Therefore, nerves carry impulses from receptors to CNS and from there to effectors

NERVOUS TISSUE
Nervous tissue is made up of nerve cells called neurones. Though the size and shape of neurones
differ in different parts of the nervous system, they are essentially similar
Neurones
3 TYPES OF NEURONES:
1. Sensory/Receptor neurones:
- Transmit impulses from receptors to CNS
2. Motor/Effector neurones:
 - Transmit impulses from CNS to effectors
3. Intermediate/Relay neurones:
- Found within the CNS
STRUCTURE OF A NEURONE
Cell body Contains a nucleus and a number of fine cytoplasmic
processes
Nerve fibres Strand of cytoplasm extending from the cell body
Axon One long nerve fibre that transmits nerve impulses
away from the cell body
Dendron Nerve fibre which transmits nerve impulses towards
the cell body. Usually short, though some neurones
have a long dendron
Dendrites Both axons and dendrons branch at their free ends.
Terminal branches are called dendrites
Myelin sheath Layer of fatty substances which encloses many nerve
fibres. Serves as an insulating layer
Neurilemma Thin membrane surrounding the myelin sheath.
Provides nourishment for the fibre
Nodes of Ranvier The myelin sheath is not continuous but is separated
at intervals by these nodes, where the neurilemma
sinks down and comes in contact with the fibre.
Nodes help speed up transmission of impulses along
the nerve fibre
Axon terminals Axon terminals of a motor neurone transmit nerve
impulses to the effector
Motor end plate The junction b/w the axon terminal and the muscle
fibre. Nervous impulses are transmitted across the
motor end plate by chemicals which stimulate the
muscles
Synapse Junction b/w 2 neurones or b/w a neurone and an
effector. At a synapse, impulses are transmitted from
the axon of one neurone to the dendron of another
neurone, or to the cells of an effector across a tiny
space. Nerve impulses are transmitted across the
synapse by neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters Chemicals released by the neurone which transmit
nerve impulses along synapses
Nerve Bundle of nerve fibres enclosed in a sheath of
connective tissue. Nerves may emerge from the brain
(cranial nerve) or spinal cord (spinal nerve). They may
contain:
1. Sensory nerve fibres only. Such nerves
conduct nerve impulses from sense organs.
2. Motor nerve fibres only. Such nerves conduct
nerve impulses to effectors.
3. Mixed fibres (both sensory and motor). Spinal
nerves contain mixed fibres.
CNS:
Nervous tissue of CNS consists of two distinct regions:
1. Grey matter: consists mainly of the cell bodies of the neurones. Forms the
outer layers of the brain and the central portions of the spinal cord
2. White matter: consists mainly of nerve fibres. Forms the central parts of the
brain and the outer layers of the spinal cord
A central canal containing cerebrospinal fluid is present in both the brain (inside the
white matter) and the spinal cord (inside grey matter). It brings nutrients to the
spinal cord.