Unit 5

Topic 8 Note 1

Nervous Co-ordination in Mammals

Nervous system is organized to

1. Detect changes in both the external and internal environment
2. Evaluate these information
3. Make appropriate responses

Nervous system

Central Nervous system Peripheral Nervous system

Brain Spinal cord Sensory (afferent) Motor (efferent)

Somatic Nervous system Autonomic Nervous system

Impulses to skeletal muscles impulses to smooth

muscles, heart & glands

Structure and functions of neurons

Neurone is a cell.

Neurone consists of a cell body, containing the nucleus and most of the
cell’s organelles within the cytoplasm.

Dendrites a fibre that conduct impulses towards the cell body

Axon that conducts impulses away from the cell body

There are 3 types of neurons. The main difference between the structures of sensory, motor
and relay neurone is the relative position of the cell body.
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Topic 8 Note 1
Motor neurones (effector neurones)
• The cell body s always situated within the central nervous system, axons extend
out.
• Conducts impulses from the CNS to effectors (muscles or glands)
• The axons of some neurones are extremely long.
Sensory neurones -
• These carry impulses from the sensory cells (Receptors) to the CNS.

Relay neurones (connector neurones/ interneurones)

These are found mostly within the CNS. They can have a large number of connections
with other nerve cells.

Neurones are able to carry waves of electrical activity called action potentials (nerve
impulses) over a long distance because the axons can be very long and the membranes
are polarized. (different charges on the inside and outside of the membrane)
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Topic 8 Note 1
Myelin sheath
• Most vertebrate neurones have a fatty insulating layer called the mylein sheath
wrapped around the axon and/or dendron.
• This increases the speed of conduction of a nerve impulse.
• Schwann cells wrap around the neuron, to nourish and protect it and produce
the myelin sheath.
• However, there are small gaps left uncovered called nodes of Ranvier.
• Action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, increasing the
speed of conduction. Saltatory conduction.
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Topic 8 Note 1

Reflex arc
• Nerve impulses follow routes/pathways through the nervous system.
• Simple nerve pathways - reflexes. Some nerve pathways involve just 2 neurones
(knee jerk reflex – a sensory neurone communicating directly with a motor
neurone). They are involuntary and rapid (which is important for protection and
survival).
• However, most nerve pathways involve numerous neurones within the CNS. A
sensory neurone connects to a range of neurones within the CNS and passes
impulses to the brain to produce a coordinated response.
Unit 5
Topic 8 Note 1
Unit 5
Topic 8 Note 1

June 2014 GCE

Unit 5
Topic 8 Note 1
Unit 5
Topic 8 Note 1

Oct 2020 Old