The Nervous System

Don’t get nervous about the nervous system

 
A system that controls all of the activities of the body.
Objectives:
 Differentiate between the central
and peripheral nervous systems.
 Subdivide the peripheral nervous
system into smaller groupings.
 Describe the structure and
function of a nerve cell (neuron).
Towhat object/s
can you associate
our nervous system?
Functions of the
Nervous System
1. Communication and
coordination

Adapt and respond

to changes from both
inside and outside
the body
 2. Site of reasoning- your brain
Integration – interpretation
of sensory information
(information processing);
complex (higher order)
functions
 2. Site of reasoning- your brain

information is “brought
together,” interpreted, to
create sensations, create
thoughts, add to memory,
make decisions, etc.
 Sensory
– monitors internal & external
environment through presence
of receptors
Sensory:
 gathersinfo about changes
occurring within and around
the body; sensory receptors,
at ends of peripheral nerves,
send signals to CNS.
examples – light, oxygen levels,
body temperature
Motor
 – response to information processed
through stimulation of effectors
 muscle contraction
 glandular secretion
 sending of signals to muscles and/or
glands to elicit a response
Bottom Line = Maintenance of Homeostasis
1.
BRAIN 
Thebrain
works like a
computer
BRAIN
Thebrain works like a
computer that answers
questions and sends
messages all over the
body.  
 BRAIN
It has the
appearance of a
wrinkled walnut
shell.
BRAIN
Anadult brain weighs
between two and three
pounds. It is very fragile
and soft and therefore,
needs protection.
BRAIN
The brain contains
nerves which are
like little telephone
lines.
 BRAIN
 sends messages all over the
body. Some of these messages
go to other parts of the body
through the spinal cord.
Messages from the brain move
very quickly through the body. 
BRAIN
The brain keeps the
heart beating and
the lungs breathing.
 BRAIN
It enables the
body to move.
 BRAIN
It facilitates
thinking and
remembering.
 Central Nervous System

 1. Brain:
 a. Mass of nerve tissue
 b. Protected by membranes &

the cranium or skull

 Brain
 Neural Systems
 Brain circuits responsible for brain function
 E.g., - vision, hearing, movement, reward
 System could be

 Localized (vision) or diffuse (arousal)

 General (vision) or specific (color vision)
 Broad Divisions
 Sensory

 Motor

 Association
 Brain
 Complex behaviors (fear/defensive learning)
depend on many systems
 Sensory

 Learning

 Memory

 Output

 Differences in a function (e.g., motivation) might be

due to different reasons (e.g., sensory, learning,
etc.)
Cerebrum
Largest
section of the brain
Responsible for:
 reasoning,thought, memory,
speaking, sensation, sight,
hearing, voluntary body
movement
Cerebellum

Responsible for:
 coordination
of muscles,
balance, posture, & muscle
tone
Midbrain
Responsible for:
conducting impulses
between brain parts
certain eye reflexes
Meninges
 Meninges
Consists of 3
membranes
Covers and protects the
brain and spinal cord
 Three Membranes
 A. Dura mater
 thick, tough outer layer
 B. Arachnoid membrane
 middle delicate weblike layer
 C. Pia mater
 innermost layer with blood vessels to
nourish the nerves
Ventricles
Ventricles
 Four hallow spaces located in
the middle of the brain.
 Connected to each other
 Filled with fluid called
cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Circulates continuously
Serves as shock absorber
to protect brain and spinal
cord
Carries nurients to parts of
brain and spinal cord
helps remove metabolic
products & wastes
after circulation, absorbed
into the blood vessels of
the dura mater.
BRAIN STEM
Pons
Responsible for:
 conducting messages to other
parts of the brain
 Reflex actions such as

chewing, production of saliva

Medulla
Oblongata
 Lowestpart of brain stem
 Connects to the spinal cord
 Responsible for:
 regulating heart beat,
respirations, swallowing,
coughing, b/p
2. Spinal Cord
 2. Spinal Cord
 Goes down back of body from
Medulla Oblongata
 Surrounded and protected by
vertebrae
 Responsible for reflex actions
 Carries sensory and motor
messages