THE

NERVOUS
SYSTEM

Nervous System is a complex network that transmit nerves

impulse between different parts of the body.
Major Divisions and Parts of the Nervous System
1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
 Serves as the main processing of the entire nervous system.

2 Main Components of CNS

 Brain - an organ located within the skull and sends messages
to the rest of the body.

Three Main Parts of the Brain

 Cerebrum - it is the upper part of the body that controls
activity and thought.
 Cerebellum - a part under the cerebrum. It controls posture,
balance and coordination.
 Brain Stem - the part that connects the brain to the spinal
cord. It control automatic functions such as breathing,
digestion, heart rate and blood pressure.

 Spinal Cord - is a bundle of nervous tissue and other support

cells. It serves as a channel for signals between the brain and
the rest of the body.

2.Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

 It connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs.
2 Main Divisions of PNS
 Somatic Nervous System - responsible for the voluntary
control of body movements.

Two Main Parts of Somatic Nervous System

 Spinal Nerves - the nerves that carry motor and sensory
signals between spinal cord and the body. Ganglia are ovoid
stuctures containing cell bodies of neurons and glial cells
supported by connected tissue.
 Cranial Nerves - the nerve fibers that carry information into
and out of the brain stem.

 Autonomic Nervous System - responsible for regulating

involuntary body functions, such as blood flow, heartbeat,
digestion and breathing.

Two Subdivisions of Autonomic Nervous System

 Sympathetic System - regulates the flight-or-fight response.
It prepares the body to expend energy and deals with
potential threats in the environment. The Sympathetic
System will trigger the response of speeding up the heart
rate, increasing breathing rate, increasing blood flow to
muscles, activating sweat secretion and dilating the pupils.
It allows our bodies to respond quickly in situations that
requires immediate action.
 Parasympathetic System - it helps to maintain normal body
functions an d conserve physical resources. Once the threat
has passed, this system will slow heart rate, slow breathing,
reduce blood flow to muscles, and constrict the pupils. It
allow our bodies to maintain normal resting state.

The Nerve Cell

A nerve is a bundle of nerve cells. A nerve cell that carries
messages is called a neuron. Neuron has a cell body that contains
nucleus. There are three parts make up a neuron – axon, cell body
and dendrites.

1. Axons are long cable-like projections that carry the

messages along the length of the cell. These axons are
covered by a protective covering called the myelin sheath.
2. Cell body is the main part and has all the components of the
cell such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic
reticulum etc.
3.  Dendrites are the small branch-like projections that form
connections with other neurons these dendrites can be
present at both ends of the cell.

The Nerve Impulse

The messages carried by neurons are called nerve impulses.

Nerve impulses can travel very quickly because they are electrical
impulses.
The cell body contains the nucleus and other organelles.
Dendrites and axons connect to the cell body, similar to rays
coming off of the sun. Dendrites receive nerve impulses from
other cells. Axons pass the nerve impulses on to other cells. A
single neuron may have thousands of dendrites, so it can
communicate with thousands of other cells but only one axon. The
axon is covered with a myelin sheath, a fatty layer that insulates
the axon and allows the electrical signal to travel much more
quickly. The node of Ranvier is any gap within the myelin sheath
exposing the axon, and it allows even faster transmission of a
signal. The place where the axon of one neuron meets
the dendrite of another is called a synapse. Synapses are also
found between neurons and other types of cells, such as muscle
cells. 
Two Main Types of Neurons
 Sensory neurons carry nerve impulses from sense organs
and internal organs to the central nervous system.
 Motor neurons carry nerve impulses from the
central nervous system to organs, glands, and muscles—the
opposite direction.
The following steps describe what happens when a
nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon.

1. When a nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon, the axon

releases chemicals called neurotransmitters.
2. Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse between the axon
and the dendrite of the next neuron.
3. Neurotransmitters bind to the membrane of the dendrite.
4. The binding allows the nerve impulse to travel through the
receiving neuron.
Quiz No.1
Identify the different parts of the following:
 Nervous System
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Neurons and Nerve Impulse

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.
Quiz No.2
Multiple Choice. Box the letter of the correct answer .

1. Neurotransmitters travel across the ________ between the axon and the dendrite of the
next neuron.
a) Synapse c) Dendrites
b) Ranvier d) Axons
2. ____________ carry nerve impulses from sense organs and internal organs to the
central nervous system.
a) Motor neurons c) Parasympathetic System
b) Sensory neurons d) Somatic Nervous System
3. The cell body contains the________ and other organelles.
a) Dendrites c) Nucleus 
b) Axons d) Neurons
4. The upper part of the body that controls activity and thought.
a) Calcium c) Brain stem
b) Cerebellum d) Cerebrum
5.There are three parts make up a neuron –_______, __________ and _________.
a) axon, cell body and dendrites
b) nucleus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
c) posture, balance and coordination.
d) None of the above
6.All are the following steps describe what happens when a nerve impulse reaches the
end of an axon, except:
a) When a nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon, the axon releases chemicals
called organelles.
b) Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse between the axon and the dendrite
of the next neuron.
c) Neurotransmitters bind to the membrane of the dendrite.
d) The binding allows the nerve impulse to travel through the receiving neuron.
7. It is the complex network that transmit nerves impulse between different parts of the
body.
a) Sympathetic System c) Nervous System
b) Neuron System d) Somatic Nervous System
8. Regulates the flight-or-fight response.
a) Neuron System c) Somatic Nervous System
b) Nervous System d) Sympathetic System
9. Connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs.
a) Somatic Nervous System c) Parasympathetic System
b) Peripheral Nervous System d) Sympathetic System
10. The messages carried by neurons are called ____________.
a) Nerve Cells c) Cranial Nerves
b) Spinal Nerves d) Nerve Impulse
 Quiz No.3
Enumerate the following:

1-2. Major Divisions and Parts of the Nervous System

3-5. Three Main Parts of the Brain
6-7. Two Main Parts of Somatic Nervous System
8-10. Three Parts make up a Neuro
Quiz No. 1 (Answer Key)
Identify the following:
Nervous System

Neurons and Nerve Impulse

Quiz No.2 (Answer Key)
Multiple Choice. Box the letter of the correct answer .

1. Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse between the axon and the dendrite of the
next neuron.
a) Synapse c) Dendrites
b) Ranvier d) Axons
2. Sensory neurons carry nerve impulses from sense organs and internal organs to the
central nervous system.
a) Motor neurons c) Parasympathetic System
b) Sensory neurons d) Somatic Nervous System
3. The cell body contains the nucleus and other organelles.
a) Dendrites c) Nucleus 
b) Axons d) Neurons
4. The upper part of the body that controls activity and thought.
a) Calcium c) Brain stem
b) Cerebellum d) Cerebrum
5. There are three parts make up a neuron – axon, cell body and dendrites.
a) axon, cell body and dendrites
b) nucleus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
c) posture, balance and coordination.
d) None of the above
6. All are the following steps describe what happens when a nerve impulse reaches the
end of an axon, except:
a) When a nerve impulse reaches the end of an axon, the axon releases chemicals
called organelles.
b) Neurotransmitters travel across the synapse between the axon and the dendrite of
the next neuron.
c) Neurotransmitters bind to the membrane of the dendrite.
d) The binding allows the nerve impulse to travel through the receiving neuron.
7. It is the complex network that transmit nerves impulse between different parts of the
body.
a) Sympathetic System c) Nervous System
b) Neuron System d) Somatic Nervous System
8. Regulates the flight-or-fight response.
a) Neuron System c) Somatic Nervous System
b) Nervous System d) Sympathetic System
9. Connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs.
a) Somatic Nervous System c) Parasympathetic System
b) Peripheral Nervous System d) Sympathetic System
10. The messages carried by neurons are called ____________.
a) Nerve Cells
b) Spinal Nerves
c) Cranial Nerves
d) Nerve Impulse
Quiz No.3 (Answer Key)
Enumerate the following and explain briefly.

1-2. Major Divisions and Parts of the Nervous System

 Central Nervous System - main processing of the entire nervous system.
 Peripheral Nervous System - connects the central nervous system to the organs and
limbs.

3-5. Three Main Parts of the Brain
 Cerebrum - controls activity and thought.
 Cerebellum - controls posture, balance and coordination.
 Brain Stem - connects the brain to the spinal cord.

6-7. Two Main Parts of Somatic Nervous System

 Spinal Nerves - carry motor and sensory signals.
 Cranial Nerves - carry information into and out of the brain stem.

8-10. Three Parts make up a Neuron

 Axon - carry the messages along the length of the cell.
 Cell body - body the main part and has all the components of the cell.
 Dendrites - form connections with other neurons
REFERENCES:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-wmopen-biology2/chapter/
components-of-the-nervous-system/
https://www.smiletemplates.com/powerpoint-templates/human-nervous-
system/90609/
https://www.toppr.com/guides/biology/control-and-coordination/nervous-
system/
https://www.siyavula.com/read/science/grade-9/systems-in-the-human--
body/02-systems-in-the-human-body?id=toc-id-27
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-peripheral-nervous-system-279-
5465
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.livescience.com/amp/22665-nervous-
system.html
Acosta and Alvarez et al., 2015. Science Lerner’s Material, 1st
Edition, Department of Education, Pasig City, Philippines