Lesson 2

Organization of the
Nervous System
 Focus Question
What are the major differences in the divisions of the nervous
system?
Learning Objectives
 Differentiate between the central nervous system (CNS) and the
peripheral nervous system (PNS) in terms of associated structures

 Discuss the difference between a neuron and a nerve

 Relate each structure of the CNS and PNS to the function

 Identify the structure and functions of the brain to include:

cerebrum, cerebellum, hypothalamus, cerebral cortex and
brainstem (pons and medulla oblongata)
 New Vocabulary

central nervous system hypothalamus

peripheral nervous somatic nervous system
system autonomic nervous
cerebrum system
medulla oblongata sympathetic nervous
system
pons
parasympathetic
nervous system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjyI4CmBOA0
 The Central Nervous System

• The nervous system

consists of two
major divisions:
• Central nervous
system
• Peripheral
nervous system
 The Central Nervous System

• The central nervous

system (CNS) is made up
mostly of interneurons.
• Coordinates all of the
body’s activities
• Relays messages,
processes information,
and analyzes responses
 The Central Nervous System

• The peripheral nervous

system (PNS) consists of
the sensory neurons and
motor neurons that carry
information to and from
the CNS.
The Brain
Ø Control center of the body
Ø Maintain homeostasis
Ø Involved in all body activities
Ø More than 100 billion neurons are
found in brain
 The Central Nervous System

The Brain
• The brain is sometimes
called the control center of
the entire body.
• The cerebrum is the largest
part of the brain.
• It carries out thought
processes involved with
learning, memory, language,
speech, voluntary body movements,
and sensory perception.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndDpjT0_IM0&t=4s
 The Central Nervous System

The Brain

• The cerebellum controls

balance, posture, and
coordination.
 The Central Nervous System

The Brain
• The medulla oblongata
relays signals between
the brain and the spinal
cord. It also helps control
breathing rate, heart
rate, and blood pressure.
 The Central Nervous System
The Brain
• The pons relays signals
between the cerebrum
and the cerebellum and
helps control the rate of
breathing.
• The hypothalamus
regulates body
temperature, thirst,
appetite, and water balance. It also
partially regulates blood pressure,
sleep, aggression, fear, and sexual
behavior.
 The Central Nervous System

The Spinal Cord

• Nerve column
that extends from
the brain to the
lower back
• Protected by the
vertebrae
• Processes reflexes
 Learning Objectives

 Compare and contrast the somatic (voluntary) nervous

system and the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system,
to include examples.

 Compare and contrast a voluntary response of the

somatic nervous system and a reflex

 Demonstrate the actions of the sympathetic and

parasympathetic nervous systems, to include examples

 Explain how sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous

systems work together to maintain homeostasis
 The Peripheral Nervous System

• The PNS includes all neurons

that are not part of the
central nervous system,
including sensory
and motor neurons.
• Neurons in the
peripheral nervous
system can be classified
further as being either
part of the somatic nervous
system or part of the
autonomic nervous system.
 The Peripheral Nervous System
The Somatic Nervous System
• Nerves in the somatic
nervous system relay
information from external
sensory receptors to the
CNS, and somatic motor
nerves relay information
from the CNS to skeletal
muscles.
• Voluntary movements and
reflexes are a part of the
somatic nervous system.
 The Peripheral Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System

• The autonomic
nervous system
carries impulses from
the central nervous
system to the heart
and other internal
organs.
• The body responds
involuntarily, not
under conscious
control.
 The Peripheral Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System

• There are two branches of
the autonomic nervous
system.
• The sympathetic nervous
system is most active in times
of emergency or stress
when the heart rate and
breathing rate increase.
• The parasympathetic
nervous system is most active
when the body is relaxed.
Review
 Quiz

1. Which part of the brain controls homeostasis of

the body?

A hypothalamus C pons
CORRECT

B cerebrum D medulla oblongata

 Quiz

2. Which term best describes the nerves that relay

information from external sensory receptors to the
central nervous system?

A parasympathetic

B sympathetic

C somatic CORRECT

D autonomic
 Quiz

3. Which is a characteristic of the sympathetic division of

the autonomic system?

A stimulates digestion

B dilates the bronchi CORRECT

C slows the heart rate

D converts glucose to glycogen

 Quiz

4. Which part of the brain controls balance, posture,

and coordination?

A brain stem C cerebellum

CORRECT

B cerebrum D hypothalamus
 Quiz

5. Which part of the nervous system is responsible

for processing reflexes?

A cerebrum C pons

B medulla oblongata D spinal cord

CORRECT