Functions of the Nervous System

The Nervous System

Functions of the Nervous System

Sensory monitors internal & external environment
through presence of receptors
Integration interpretation of sensory information
(information processing); complex (higher order)
functions
Motor response to information processed through
stimulation of effectors
muscle contraction
glandular secretion

1. Control center for all body activities

2. Responds and adapts to changes that occur both
inside and outside the body
(Ex: pain, temperature, pregnancy)

General Organization of the nervous

system
Two Anatomical Divisions

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain
Spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

All the neural tissue outside CNS

Afferent division (sensory input)
Efferent division (motor output)

Somatic nervous system

Autonomic nervous system

General Organization of the nervous

system

THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

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

Retrieval of a Memory

Anatomy of the Brain

Cerebrum : largest part
of human brain
- Responsible for:
- Thought
- Language
- Senses
- Memory
- Voluntary
movement

Anatomy of the Brain

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

Anatomy of the Brain

Central Nervous System

Brain Stem :
connects brain to
spinal cord
-Responsible for:
- Breathing
- Swallowing
- Heartbeat
- Blood pressure

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

Central Nervous System

Neurons : microscopic
nerve cells that make
up the brain, spinal
cord, and nerves

- 30,000 neurons can fit

on a pinhead

Anatomy of a Neuron

Anatomy of a Neuron
Each neuron contains:
- Cell body with nucleus
- Dendrites : fibers that
receive messages from
other neurons
- Axons : fibers that send
messages to other
neurons

Communication Between Neurons

Neurons do NOT touch;

there is a gap between
them called a synapse

- The use of
neurotransmitters
causes an electrical
current

Messages are sent

across the synapses by
special chemicals called
neurotransmitters

There is enough electrical

current in the brain to
power a flashlight

Brain Teaser
If you were running a race, and you passed the
person in 2nd place, what place would you be in
now?
Second

Brain Teaser
AHIMNOTUVW
Which of the letters above does not belong with the
rest?
N It is not a mirror-image of itself

Peripheral Nervous System

THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Peripheral Nervous System

-Responsibilities:
- Sensory nerves - carry
messages from body
to brain (pain,
pressure,
temperature)

Nerves
:
visible
bundles of axons and
dendrites that extend
from the brain and
spinal cord to all other
parts of the body

Terminology
Input: sensory = sensory input
Receptors monitor changes
Changes called stimuli (sing., stimulus)
Information sent by afferent nerves

Integration
Info processed
Decision made about what should be done

Output: motor = motor output

- Motor nerves carry

messages from brain
to body to respond

Terminology, continued

Effector organs (muscles or glands) activated

Effected by efferent nerves

Remember the difference between the English words affect and

effect

Simplified

The music affected her deeply.

(Something is experienced: sensory)

His protests had no effect.

(Something is done or not done: motor)

END