The Nervous System

Human Body Systems

• Humans have complex systems
• Cells are grouped for efficiency
• Dynamic equilibrium
 Levels of Organization

In a multicellular organism levels are:

cells → tissues →organs →organ
systems
tissues: group of similar cells that perform
same function
organ: group of tissues that work together to
perform complex function (ex: sight)
organ system: group of organs that perform
closely related functions
 Human Organ Systems
• Nervous System • Endocrine System
• Respiratory System • Lymphatic/Immune
• Digestive System System
• Skeletal System • Reproductive System
• Muscular System
• Circulatory System
• Excretory System
 Body Systems Functions
• Although each of the 10 organ systems
has a different set of functions, they all
work together, as a whole, to maintain
homeostasis.
 Nervous System
• The nervous system controls and
coordinates functions throughout the body
and responds to internal and external
stimuli
• Nearly all multicellular organisms have
communication systems
– Specialized cells carry messages from one
cell to another
– Smooth and efficient communication through
the body
 Nervous System
• Messages carried by nervous system are
electrical signals called impulses
• Cells that transmit these impulses are
called neurons (basic units of nervous
system)
– 3 types of neurons
1. Sensory
2. Motor
3. Interneurons
 Neurons
• Sensory: Carry impulses from sense
organs (eyes, ears, etc) to the spinal cord
and brain
• Motor: carry impulses from the brain and
spinal cord to muscles and glands
• Interneurons: connect sensory and motor
neurons and carry impulses between them
 Neuron Classification

Figure 7.6

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Slide 7.15
 Parts of a Neuron
• Cell Body
– Largest part; contains nucleus and most of cytoplasm
– Most metabolic activities occur here
• Dendrites
– Short, branched extensions
– Carry impulses from environment or other neuron toward cell
body
– Neurons can have several dendrites
• Axon
– Long fiber which carries impulses away from cell body
– Ends in axon terminals, located a distance away from cell body
– Neurons only have one axon
• Myelin Sheath
– Insulating membrane surrounding axon
Neuron
 Nerve Impulse
• An impulse begins when a neuron is
stimulated by another neuron or the
environment
 Synapse
• Location where a
neuron can transfer
an impulse to another
cell
• Space between
neurons
• Neurotransmitters are
chemicals used by
neurons to transmit
an impulse across the
synapse
 Human Nervous System
• Divided into two major divisions:
– Central Nervous System (CNS)
• Relays messages, processes info and
analyzes info
– Peripheral Nervous System
• Receives information from the environment
and relays commands from the CNS to
organs and glands
 Central Nervous System
• Brain
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Brain Stem
Thalamus and
hypothalamus
 Brain
• Made of 50-100 billion neurons
• 4 lobes or regions
– Frontal Lobe- memory, judgment, inhibitions,
personality
– Temporal Lobe- Long term memory, auditory
processing
– Occipital Lobe- Vision processing
– Parietal Lobe- Sensory integration
 Spinal Cord
• Main communications link
between the brain and the rest of
the body
• Certain kinds of info (reflexes) are
processed in spinal cord
• Reflex is a quick, automatic
response to a stimulus
– Sneezing and blinking
– Allows your body to respond to
danger immediately without thinking
 Peripheral Nervous System
• Lies outside of CNS
• Consists of all the nerves and cells that
are not a part of the brain or spinal cord
– Cranial nerves
– Divided into 2 divisions:
• Sensory
• Motor
 Neuron Classification

Figure 7.6

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Slide 7.15
 Peripheral Nervous System
Sensory division:
transmits impulses from sense organs to the
CNS
Motor division:
transmits impulses from CNS to muscles and
glands
1. somatic nervous system- regulates
conscious controlled activities
2. autonomic nervous system- regulates
activities that are automatic or involuntary
~Divided into sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system
 Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous
System (CNS) System (PNS)

Spinal Cord Autonomic Nervous

System

Cerebrum Cerebellum Brain Stem

Spinal Nerves Cranial Nerves Sympathetic Parasympathetic

1. How will you differentiate the Central Nervous System
(CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) in terms
of their functions?

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord,

while the PNS includes all the nerves and ganglia
outside the CNS. The CNS is responsible for
processing information and coordinating body
functions, while the PNS carries information to
and from the CNS and controls movement and
sensation in the body.
 CNS is responsible for
processing information and
coordinating body functions
 CNS is responsible for processing information and coordinating
body functions

Spinal Cord
controls thought, memory, emotion,
touch, motor skills, vision, breathing,
temperature, hunger and every
process that regulates our body.

the part under the cerebrum that

controls posture, balance, and
coordination.
 Somatic Nervous System

Sympathetic
the nerves that carry motor
and sensory signals between
the spinal cord and the body.

Cranial Nerves

it maintains body functions

and restores the body to
normal or relaxed mode.
 2 What might happen to the human body if one part of
the nervous system fails to carry out its function
properly?
If one part of the nervous system fails to carry out its
function properly, it can lead to a range of negative effects
on the human body. The specific effects will depend on
which part of the nervous system is affected, as well as the
severity and duration of the dysfunction.
- CNS dysfunction: paralysis or weakness
- PNS dysfunction: problems with blood pressure, heart
rate, digestion, and other bodily functions.
- Sensory dysfunction: sensory distortions
- Cognitive dysfunction: memory loss, confusion.
It can significantly impact an individual's quality of life.