NERVOUS SYSTEM
Nervous system connects all your body parts and transmit signals from one part to another.
The nervous system is made up of several parts, including the brain, spinal cord, and
nerves.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)
– The CNS serves as the main processing center for
the entire nervous system. It consists of two main
components,
A. Brain – This is an organ located within the
skull that functions as organizer and distributor of
information for the body.
Cerebrum – large, upper part of the
brain that controls activity and thought.
Cerebellum – the part under the
cerebrum that controls posture, balance and
coordination.
Brain Stem – the part that connects
the brain to the spinal cord and controls
automatic functions such as breathing,
digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
B. Spinal Cord- This serves as a channel for signals between the brain and the rest of the
body, and controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes without input from the brain.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)
- the PNS connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs.
a. SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM – this system is associated with the voluntary control of
body movements and has two main parts;
Spinal Nerves – the nerves that carry motor and sensory signals between the spinal
cord and the body.
Cranial Nerves – the nerve fibers that carry information into and out of the brain stem.
b. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM- this system is associated with the involuntary control of
body and has two subdivisions:
Sympathetic – it is activated when the body is in a dynamic role or stress. (e.g., increased
heart rate and breathing, dilation of pupil, sweating, etc.)
Parasympathetic – it maintains body functions and restores the body to normal or relaxed
mode. ("rest-and-digest" or "feed-and-breed" activities)
The Nerve Cell – “neurons”
The basic unit of the nervous system.
has a cell body containing the nucleus. Projecting out from the body are root-like structures.
are cells with the special ability to carry signals or impulses. Thoughts, emotions, learning and
many body functions are carried by nerve impulses in the neurons
PARTS OF A NEURON
Nucleus – control center of the cell.
Cell Body – spherical part of the neuron
that contain the nucleus and connects to
the dendrites which bring information to
the neuron, and the axon, which sends
information to other neurons.
Dendrites – carry the impulses towards
the cell body.
Axon – carry the impulses away from the
cell body.
Nodes of Ranvier – are gaps in the myelin sheath coating in the neural axon.
Schwann Cells – supports nerve regeneration.
Myelin Sheath – an insulating layer, that form around the nerves and allows electrical
impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells.
3 TYPES OF NEURONS
Sensory neurons- brings messages from
sense organs to the spinal cord to the brain.
Motor neurons- brings messages from the
brain to spinal cord to the muscles, gland
(effector)
Interneuron ( relay neuron)- connects sensory
and motor neuron.
NERVE IMPULSE
o Is a combination of an electrical charge and a
chemical reaction. It is not a flow of electricity,
but an electrochemical signal moving along a
neuron.
o When a nerve impulse comes to the end of an
axon, it produces the chemical called
neurotransmitter, to be released.
o The chemical crosses the space between
neurons called synapse and stimulates the
nerve impulses to start in the next dendrite.
o Synapse or synaptic gap – the gap between
two neurons.
