The Nervous

System

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 FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM

• Sensory Input
• Integration
• Homeostasis
• Mental Activity
• Control of muscles and glands
29-2

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 WHAT PARTS DO YOU KNOW THAT ARE
IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?
• Brain
• Spinal Cord

• Peripheral
Nerves
 INTRODUCTION
1. Control center for all body
• Highly complex activities
system of two parts 2. Responds and adapts to changes
• Central nervous that occur both inside and outside
the body (Ex: pain, temperature)
system (CNS)
3. Detecting and interpreting sensory
information
• Peripheral
nervous system 4. Making decision about that
information and responding to and
(PNS)
carrying out motor functions.
© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
• PNS
• CNS • Peripheral nerves
• Brain • Two sections
• Spinal cord • Somatic nervous system (SNS)
• Skeletal or voluntary muscles
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Automatic functions

29-5

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•Three types of neurons
• Afferent or sensory
• Sensory information from environment or
inside body to CNS for interpretation
• Efferent or motor
• Impulses from CNS to PNS to allow for
movement or action
• Interneurons
• Interpretive neurons between afferent and
efferent nerves in the CNS

29-6

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 different types of neuron
sense org
a n

dendrites direction of
cell body electrical
signal

myelin
sheath

axon

le
musc
nerve
endings

motor neuron sensory neuron interneuron

sends signals to your muscles sends signals from connects neuron to
to tell them to move your sense organs other neuron

Smarter UK
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Match the following: ANSWER:
___
B Somatic nervous system A. Motor nerves
___
C Autonomic nervous system B. Governs skeletal or voluntary muscles
___
A Afferent neuron C. Governs respiratory and GI systems
___
E Efferent neuron D. Go-betweens or interpreters
___ Interneurons E. Sensory nerves
D

29-8

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 Classification of neurons
Structural classification based on number of processes
coming off of the cell body:
Anaxonic
neurons
• no anatomical
clues to
determine axons
from dendrites
• functions
unknown
Multipolar
neuron
• multiple
dendrites &
single axon
• most
common type
Bipolar neuron
• two
processes
coming off
cell body –
one dendrite
& one axon
• only found
in eye, ear &
nose
Unipolar
(pseudounipolar)
neuron
• single process
coming off cell
body, giving rise
to dendrites (at
one end) & axon
(making up rest
of process)
 Neurons :
microscopic nerve
cells that make up
the brain, spinal
cord, and nerves
- 30,000 neurons can
fit on a pinhead
Neurons
Neurons have
have cell
cell body
body
processes
processes called
called nerve
nerve
fibers
fibers that
that extend
extend from
from
the
the cell
cell body.
body.
Each neuron contains:
- Cell body : with
nucleus
- Dendrites : fibers
that receive
messages from
other neurons
- Axons : fibers that
send messages to
other neurons
• Neurons do NOT
touch; there is a gap
between them called
a synapse.

• Messages are sent

across the synapses
by special chemicals
called
neurotransmitters.
 Close up look at your synapse
AXON

What is this in
The synapse - where
the membrane?
the action happens

Transport
The next cell’s plasma
protein
membrane
The synapse carries a signal from cell to cell

3 4
2
 Communication Between
Neurons
- The use of
neurotransmitters
causes an
electrical current
There is enough
electrical current
in the brain to
power a
flashlight
• Functional cells of NS

• Transmit electrochemical
messages called nerve impulses
to
• Other neurons
• Effectors (muscles or glands)

29-21

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• Neurons lose their ability to divide

• If destroyed, not replaced

• Neuralgia

• Support cells for neurons that can divide

• Astrocytes – anchor blood vessels to nerves
• Microglia – act as phagocytes
• Oligodendrocytes – assist with production of
myelin sheath
29-22

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• Most axons of the nervous system are surrounded by a
myelin sheath (myelinated axons)
• The presence of myelin speeds up the transmission of
action potentials along the axon
• Myelin will get laid down in segments (internodes) along
the axon, leaving unmyelinated gaps known as “nodes of
Ranvier”
• Regions of the nervous system containing groupings of
myelinated axons make up the “white matter”
• “gray matter” is mainly comprised of groups of neuron
cell bodies, dendrites & synapses (connections between
neurons)
 • White matter – axons with myelin
Dendrites
sheath
• Schwann cells – neurological cells

• Wrap around some axons

• Cell membranes contain
Schwann
myelin
cells
• Myelin insulates axons and
enables axons to send nerve
Axon
impulses more quickly.
• Gray matter – axons without myelin
29-27
sheath
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APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

True or False: ANSWER:

___
F Effectors are neurons. They are the muscles or glands.
___
F Neurons can reproduce. Neurons cannot reproduce.
___
T Astrocytes anchor blood vessels to nerve cells.
___
T Microglia act as phagocytes.
___ They take part in
F Oligodendrocytes are reproductive cells.
myelin production.
___
T Repolarization is the return to the resting state.

GOOD JOB! 29-28

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 the cells of the nervous system are called neurones

dendrites nerve endings

myelin sheath

cell body

nucleus

axon
structure of a neurone
Smarter UK
 neuronescommunicate with each other using a
mixture of electrical & chemical signals

dendrites nerve endings

But what happens when the signal

myelin sheath
reaches the end of the axon?

cell body

nucleus an electrical
signal is
transmitted
along the axon
axon

Smarter UK
 signals cross between neurones at the synapse

synapse

dendrites nerve endings

vesicle
myelin sheath

synaptic cleft cell body

nucleus receptor neurotransmitter

the
the signal
signal
is
is transmitted
transmitted to
to another
another
neurone
neurone across
across aa junction
junction called
called
aa synapse by by chemicals
chemicals
axon
called neurotransmitters..
called

Smarter UK
 1 electrical impulse triggers vesicles signals cross between neurones at the synapse
to move to the synapse membrane
vesicles fuse with the membrane and synapse
2 release neurotransmitter into the synaptic
cleft nerve endings
dendrites
neurotransmitter diffuses across vesicle
3
the cleft and binds to receptors on myelin sheath
the other side

synaptic cleft cell body

nucleus receptor neurotransmitter

the
the signal
signal
is
is transmitted
transmitted to
to another
another
4 Once enough receptors have
neurone
neurone across
across aa junction
junction called
called
neurotransmitters bound to
them, the signal is aa synapse by by chemicals
chemicals
transmitted… axon
called neurotransmitters..
called

Smarter UK
 The point where your muscles and nervous system meet is called the

neuromuscular junction (NMJ)

Signals sent from your central nervous

system to the NMJ tell muscles to move

The synapses at the NMJ use

a neurotransmitter called
acetylcholine

le
musc

Smarter UK
NERVE IMPULSE
• Membrane potential
• Neuron cell membrane at rest is in a polarized state
• Inside of cell membrane is negative
• Outside of cell membrane is positive due to more Na + and K+
• As Na+ and K+ move into the cell, the membrane becomes
depolarized
• Inside becomes more positive
• Action potential (nerve impulse) is created
• Repolarization occurs when K+ and later Na+ move to the outside of
the cell membrane 29-34
• Return of the cell to polarized (resting) state
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NERVE IMPULSE (CONT.)
• Impulse travels down axon to synaptic knob
• Vesicles or small sacs in synaptic knob
• Produce chemicals called neurotransmitters

• Neurotransmitters are released by synaptic knob

• Allow impulse transmission to postsynaptic structures
• Dendrites
• Cell bodies
• Axons of other neurons

29-35

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NERVE IMPULSE (CONT.)

• Functions of neurotransmitters
• Cause muscles to contract or relax

• Cause glands to secrete products

• Activate or inhibit neurons

29-36

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APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

What is the function of neurotransmitters?

ANSWER: Neurotransmitters cause muscles to
contract or relax, cause glands to secret products,
activate neurons to send nerve impulses, or inhibit
neurons from sending them.

Right! 29-37

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Two Major
Divisions
of the
Nervous
System
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Includes the spinal cord and brain

• Blood-brain barrier
• Protects layers of the membranes of the CNS
• Formed by tight capillaries
• Prevents unwanted substances from entering the CNS tissues
• Inflammation can make more permeable

29-39

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CNS (CONT.)
• Meninges –protect brain and spinal cord
• Dura mater
• Tough outer layer
• Arachnoid mater
• Middle layer (web-like)
• Pia mater
• Innermost and most
delicate
• Directly on top of brain
and spinal cord
• Holds blood vessels on the
surface of these structures
29-40

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CNS (CONT.)

• Epidural space
• Above dura mater

• Subdural space
• Below dura mater

• Subarachnoid space
• Between arachnoid mater and pia mater
• Contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• Cushions CNS
29-41

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 Central Nervous System
Brain : a mass of
100 billion
neurons located
inside the skull

-Learning occurs as
more and stronger
connections are
made between
neurons
Cerebrum : largest
part of human brain
- Responsible for:
- Thought
- Language
- Senses
- Memory
- Voluntary
movement
CNS: BRAIN – CEREBRUM
• Largest section
• Two cerebral hemispheres
• Connected by a thick bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus
callosum
• Longitudinal fissure between hemispheres

• Sulci – grooves on surface

• Gyri or convolutions – bumps of brain matter between sulci

Brain
29-45

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CNS: BRAIN – CEREBRUM (CONT.)
• Lobes
• Frontal Frontal Parietal
• Motor areas for voluntary body
movements
• Parietal
• Somatosensory – interprets
sensations
• Temporal
• Auditory – interprets sounds Temporal
• Occipital Occipital

• Interprets what a person sees

29-46

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CNS: BRAIN – CEREBRUM (CONT.)
• Cortex • Ventricles
• Outer layer – gray • Interconnected
matter cavities within the
• Contains about 75% brain
of all neurons
• Inner layer – white matter
• Functions • Filled with CSF
• Interpret sensory information
• Initiate body movements
• Stores memories and creates emotions
29-47

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A memory is not a
snapshot stored in
the brain – it must
be put together
from information
stored in various
parts of the brain
Cerebellum : at base
of brain
-Responsible for:
- Muscle
coordination
- Balance
- Posture
 CNS: Brain – Cerebellum

• Location
• Inferior to the occipital lobes of the cerebrum
• Posterior to the pons and medulla oblongata
• Coordinates
• Complex skeletal muscle contractions that are needed for body movements
• Fine movements

Brain
29-50

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 CNS: Brain – Diencephalon
• Between the cerebral hemispheres superior to the brain stem
• Thalamus
• Relay station for sensory information going to the cerebral cortex for interpretation
• Hypothalamus
• Maintains homeostasis by regulating vital activities

Brain
29-51

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Brain Stem :
connects brain to
spinal cord
-Responsible for:
- Breathing
- Swallowing
- Heartbeat
- Blood pressure
CNS: Brain – Brain Stem
• Connects the cerebrum to
the spinal cord
• Midbrain
• Just beneath
diencephalon
• Controls both visual
and auditory reflexes
• Pons
• Rounded bulge on
underside of brain stem
• Between midbrain and
medulla oblongata
• Regulates respiration
• Medulla oblongata
• Inferior portion of brain stem
• Directly connected to spinal
cord
• Controls many vital activities,
such as heart rate, blood
pressure, and breathing
Brain
29-53
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 different regions have different
Cerebral cortex
functions Functions include:
planning; reasoning;
language; recognising
sounds and images;
Corpus memory.
callosum
connects the brain’s
right and left
hemispheres

Brain stem
regulates heart
rate, breathing, Cerebellum

Credit: Mark Lythgoe & Chloe Hutton, Wellcome Images

sleep cycles important for
and emotions coordination,
precision and timing
of movement

Smarter UK
 Brain Teaser
AHIMNOTUVW

Which of the letters above does not belong with the rest?

N It is not a mirror-image of itself

 Central Nervous System
Spinal Cord : Column
of nerves from brain to
tailbone – protected by
vertebrae of spine

- Responsible for:
- Conducting
impulses between the
brain and the rest of
the body

*Impulses may travel as

fast at 268 miles/hr
CNS: SPINAL CORD
• Slender structure continuous with the brain

• Descends into the vertebral canal and ends

around the level of the first or second
lumbar vertebra

• 31 Spinal segments:
• 8 cervical segments
• 12 thoracic segments
• 5 lumbar segments
• 5 sacral segments
• 1 coccygeal segment   29-59

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CNS: SPINAL CORD (CONT.)

• Cervical enlargement
• Motor neurons that control
muscles of the arms

• Lumbar enlargement
• Motor neurons that control
muscles of the legs

29-60

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 CNS: Spinal Cord (cont.)
• Gray matter
• Inner tissue with darker color

• Contains neuron cell bodies and their dendrites

• Divisions are called horns

• Central canal runs down the entire length of the spinal cord through
the center of the gray matter
Spinal
Cord/Nerve
29-61

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CNS: SPINAL CORD (CONT.)

• White matter

• Outer tissue
• Contains myelinated axons
• Divisions are called columns (funiculi)
• Columns contain groups of axons called nerve tracts

Spinal
Cord/Nerve 29-62

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CNS: SPINAL CORD (CONT.)
• One function of the spinal cord is to carry sensory
information to and from the brain

• Ascending tracts
• Carry sensory information up to the brain

• Descending tracts
• Carry motor information down from the brain to muscles
and glands
29-64

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CNS: SPINAL CORD (CONT.)
• Reflexes
• Another function of the spinal cord is to participate in reflexes
• Reflex – a predictable, automatic response to stimuli

Receptor Sensory Neurons

Interneurons

Effectors Motor Neurons

29-65

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PREVENTING BRAIN AND SPINAL
CORD INJURIES
• Wear appropriate  Children should be in
protective gear for car seats appropriate
sports for age and weight

• Avoid diving into  Know how to get help

unknown waters quickly in emergencies

• Always wear seat belts  Follow traffic rules and

signs while walking,
29-66

• Follow safety rules on biking, or driving

playgrounds © 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE SUPER!

Match the following:

___
H Meninges A. Carry motor information from brain
___
D Ascending tracts B. Stores memories and creates emotions
___
A Descending tractsC. Grooves on the surface of the cerebrum
___
B Cerebral cortex D. Carry sensory information to the brain
___ Hypothalamus E. Predictable, automatic response to stimuli
F
___ Sulci F. Maintains homeostasis
C
___ Cerebellum G. Coordinates skeletal muscle contractions
G
___ Reflexes H. Protects the brain and spinal cord
E 29-67

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PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Nerves that branch off the CNS

• Peripheral nerves
• Two types:
• Cranial nerves
• Spinal nerves

29-68

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 Peripheral Nervous System

Nerves : visible
bundles of axons
and dendrites that
extend from the
brain and spinal
cord to all other
parts of the body
-Responsibilities:
- Sensory nerves -
carry messages
from body to brain
(pain, pressure,
temperature)

- Motor nerves –
carry messages
from brain to body
to respond
PNS: CRANIAL NERVES
I.   Olfactory nerves
• Carry smell information to the brain for interpretation

II.  Optic nerves

• Carry visual information to the brain for interpretation

III. Oculomotor nerves
• Found within the muscles that move the eyeball, eyelid,
and iris

IV. Trochlear nerves 29-71

• Act in the muscles that move the eyeball.
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PNS: CRANIAL NERVES (CONT.)

V.  Trigeminal nerves
• Carry sensory information from the surface of the eye, the scalp,
facial skin, the lining of the gums, and the palate to the brain for
interpretation
• Also found within the muscles needed for chewing

VI. Abducens nerves
• Act in the muscles that move the eyeball

29-72

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PNS: CRANIAL NERVES (CONT.)

VII. Facial nerves

• Found in the muscles of facial expression as well as in the
salivary and tear glands
• Also carry sensory information from the tongue

VIII. Vestibulocochlear nerves

• Carry hearing and equilibrium information from the inner ear to
the brain for interpretation

29-73

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PNS: CRANIAL NERVES (CONT.)

IX. Glossopharyngeal nerves

• Carry sensory information from the throat and tongue to the brain
for interpretation
• Also act in the muscles of the throat

X. Vagus nerves
• Carry sensory information from the thoracic and abdominal organs
to the brain for interpretation
• Also found within the muscles in the throat, stomach, intestines, and
heart

29-74

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PNS: CRANIAL NERVES (CONT.)

XI. Accessory nerves

• Found within the muscles of the throat, neck, back, and voice box

XII. Hypoglossal nerves

• Found within the muscles of the tongue

29-75

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 PNS: SPINAL NERVES

• Peripheral nerves originating from the spinal cord

• Pairs of spinal nerves

• 8 pairs of cervical nerves (C1 through C7)
• 12 pairs of thoracic nerves (T1 through T12)
• 5 pairs of lumbar nerves (L1 through L5)
• 5 pairs of sacral nerves (S1 through S5)
• 1 pair of coccygeal nerves (C0) Spinal
Nerves 29-76

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 PNS: SPINAL NERVES (CONT.)

• Dermatome
• Skin segment innervated by spinal nerve
• C1 is not associated with a dermatome

• Ventral root
• Axons of motor neurons only

• Dorsal root
• Axons of sensory neurons only
• Dorsal root ganglion
• Contains cell bodies of sensory neurons
29-77

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 PNS: SPINAL NERVES (CONT.)

• Main portions of spinal nerves fuse to form nerve plexuses

• Cervical – supply skin and muscles of neck
• Phrenic nerve originates from this plexus
• Controls diaphragm
• Brachial – control muscles in the arms
• Lumbosacral – lower abdomen, external genitalia, buttocks, thighs, legs, and feet
• Sciatic nerve originates from this plexus
• Controls muscles of legs

Spinal
Nerves 29-78

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PNS: SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Nerves that connect the CNS to skin and skeletal

muscle
• “Voluntary” nervous system
• Controls skeletal muscles, which are under voluntary control

29-80

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PNS: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Nerves that connect the CNS to organs and other structures
• “Involuntary” nervous system
• Motor neurons located in ganglia
• Neuron cell bodies outside the CNS

29-81

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 PNS: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (CONT.)

• Sympathetic division
• “Fight or flight” – Prepares body for stressful or emergency situations
• Neurons release neurotransmitter norepinephrine
• Increases heart and breathing rates
• Slows down muscles of the stomach and intestines
• Dilates pupils
• Constricts blood vessels – increases blood pressure

29-82

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 PNS: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (CONT.)

• Parasympathetic division
• Prepares body for rest and digesting
• Controls most of the body’s organs
• Releases acetylcholine
• Slows heart and breathing rates
• Constricts pupils
• Activates muscles of stomach and intestine
• No communication with blood vessels

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are antagonistic

29-83

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APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
What is the difference between the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems?
ANSWER: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the
body for stress. It releases norepinephrine, causing an
increase in heart and respiratory rate, slows down the GI
system, and dilates pupils. The sympathetic system also
controls constriction of blood vessels.
The parasympathetic system prepares the body for resting
and digesting. It releases acetylcholine, which slows heart
and respiratory rate, constricts pupils and stimulates the GI
system. It has no effect on most blood vessels. 29-84

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NEUROLOGIC TESTING

• Typical neurologic examination

• State of consciousness
• Reflex activity
• Speech patterns
• Motor patterns

29-85

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NEUROLOGIC TESTING: DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES
• Lumbar puncture • Computerized tomography
(CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) • Electroencephalogram (EEG)

• Positron emission • X-ray

tomography (PET) scan

• Cerebral angiography
29-86

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NEUROLOGIC TESTING – CRANIAL NERVE TESTS

• Olfactory nerves (Cranial nerve I)

• Have patient smell various substances
• Cranial nerves III, IV, and VI
• Have patient track movement of finger
• Cranial nerve V
• Have patient clench teeth, feel jaw muscles
29-87

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 NEUROLOGIC TESTING – CRANIAL NERVE
TESTS (CONT.)

• Cranial nerve VII

• Check patient’s facial expression

• Cranial nerve XII

• Have patient extend his tongue and move it from side to side
29-88

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

NEUROLOGIC TESTING: REFLEX TESTING
• Areflexia
• Absence of a reflex

• Hyporeflexia
• Decreased reflex

• Hyperreflexia
• Stronger-than-normal reflex 29-89

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NEUROLOGIC TESTING: REFLEX TESTING
• Biceps reflex
• Absence indicates spinal cord damage in the cervical region

• Knee reflex
• Absence may indicate damage to lumbar or femoral nerves

• Abdominal reflexes
• Used to evaluate damage to thoracic spinal nerves

29-90

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APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Match the following:

ANSWER:
C State of consciousness
___ A. Determines the health of
peripheral nerves
___
A Reflex activity B. Loss of balance, abnormal
posture
___
D Speech patterns C. Stupor, delirium, vegetative
___
B Motor patterns D. Loss of ability to form words

29-91

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 Are all neurons equal in size?
• Brain vs spinal cord vs peripheral nerves?

About how many neurons are in the human brain? 100 billion

About how many neurons are in the spinal cord? 1 billion

How long do you think the longest axon in the world is? around 15 feet
How many synapses
are in one neuron?
1,000 to 10,000!!
What do you think can change neurons and their
connections?
• Accidents
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Disease
 Accidents
• Physical injury of your neurons
Drugs and alcohol bind important receptors on neurons
Repeated binding causes the neuron to die
Drugs = neuron death
Alcohol damages dendrites - can
repair after abstinence

Alcohol blocks
receptors and slows
down transmission
 • Parkinson's Disease
• ALS - Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Huntington’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Alzheimer's
• Cerebral Palsy
• Epilepsy
• ? SIDS
Epilepsy
Abnormal
transmission of
messages
between the
neurons in the
brain
Symptoms:
seizures
COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS

Disease/Disorder Description
Alzheimer’s Progressive, degenerative disease of
disease the brain
Amyotrophic Lou Gehrig’s disease
lateral sclerosis Degeneration of neurons in the spinal
(ALS) cord and brain
Bell’s palsy Weak or paralyzed facial muscles

29-103

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COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS (CONT.)

Disease/Disorder Description
Brain tumors and Abnormal growths
cancers Can be primary or secondary tumors
Most common – gliomas
Epilepsy and Occurs as a result of bursts of
seizures electrical signals that disrupt normal
brain functioning
Guillain-Barré Body’s immune system attacks the
Syndrome PNS
29-104

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COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS
(CONT.)

Disease/Disorder Description
Headaches
Tension Episodic or chronic
Migraines With aura/without aura
Cluster Form of migraines; occurs in groups
Meningitis Inflammation of meninges
Multiple Chronic disease of CNS
sclerosis (MS) Myelin is destroyed
29-105

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COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS (CONT.)

Disease/Disorder Description
Neuralgias Disorders causing nerve pain
Parkinson’s Progressive and degenerative motor
disease system disorder
Sciatica Damage to sciatic nerve
Stroke Brain cells die because of an
inadequate blood flow; “brain attack”
29-106

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Paralysis
A loss of
sensation and
movement of
part of the
body due to
an injury of
the spinal
cord or brain
Parkinson’s Disease
The brain does not produce enough of the
neurotransmitter that transmits messages from
the brain to the muscles
Symptoms: tremors, rigid muscles, shuffling
walk, and loss of facial expression

Red areas
show where
chemical is
stored
Alzheimer’s Disease
A gradual shrinking
of the neurons in
the cerebrum
Symptoms: memory
loss, emotional
disturbances,
inability to
function on own,
death
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

True or false: ANSWER: Bravo!

___
T Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease of
the brain.
F Epilepsy is due to degenerative neurons in the spinal cord
___
and brain. Due to a burst of electrical signals that disrupt brain function.
___
F Neuralgias are motor system disorders.
They are group of disorders referred to as nerve pain.
___
T Stroke occurs when brain cells die because of inadequate
blood flow.
29-110

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

IN SUMMARY

• Functions of the nervous system

• Detecting and interpreting sensory information
• Making decision about that information
• Responding to and carrying out motor functions
• Neurons are responsible for functions
• Divisions
• CNS – brain and spinal cord
• PNS – Knowledge
cranial and spinal nerves
of this system is essential when assisting the
physician during a neurologic exam 29-111

© 2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

 your brain changes and adapts all the time and all
through your life

your brain
learns and
forms
memories by
strengthening

Credit Marina Caruso, Wellcome Images

synapses that
are used a lot
and
weakening
those that are
used less
often
Smarter UK
What happens as you grow?
Between birth and age 3 your
brain makes lots of new synapses
A toddler has 2-3 times more
synapses than an adult

As your brain matures, it prunes

synapses to make it more efficient
During adolescence your brain has a
major tidy-up and gets rid of lots of
connections it isn’t using
This is a critical and delicate process. It is
thought that conditions such as schizophrenia
could be the result of it going wrong
Some evidence suggests that using
drugs can disrupt this process