Overview of the Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Reflexes
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Course
Biology
Institution
12th Grade
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the human nervous system, ideal for biology students or anyone interested in understanding its organization and essential functions. It includes three key sections:
- Covers the division between the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Ne...
Homeostasis → returns to a balanced state @ equilibrium
Nervous System: a communication system that receives input, processes, integrates,
and store information triggers muscles to contract.
Sympathetic N.S: copes with stress, danger, excitement or fear (eg. fight or flight)
Parasympathetic N.S: oversees digestion, elimination, works to bring the body back to
normal
Organizations of the Nervous System:
Cells of the N.S:
1. Neurons (unit of structure and function within the N.S)
- Works to detect physical and chemical stimuli
- conduct signals/release chemicals
2). Glial (supporting cells for neurons )
3 Types of Neurons:
Sensory neuron: collect info & transfer messages/impulses to the CNS
Interneuron: located in the spinal cord, serves as a connector between sensory
neurons and motor neurons, processing incoming sensory info & relaying outgoing
motor.
Motor Neuron: transmits info from the CNS (spinal cord) to the muscle glands & other
organs (effectors)
Definitions:
Nerve: a message pathway of the nervous system
↪ made up of many neurons grouped into bundles & surrounded by protective tissue. 12
pairs of carnival nerves in the brain & 31 pairs of spinal nerves that emanate from the
spinal cord.
, The Brain and Spinal Cord
Brain Anatomy:
- Brain stem
↪Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain—all work together to make breathing,
circulation & digestion
- Cerebellum
- Thalamus
- Cerebrum
Parts of the brain Functions/definitions
Medulla Manages heart, circulation, and breathing
oblongata
Pons Linked to your spinal cord—breathing & equilibrium
Midbrain Motor movements, visual processing, hearing, etc
- Produces reflexes such as sneezing, coughing and swallowing
Cerebellum “Little brain” located at the back of the head below the temporal and the occipital
lobes and above the brain stem
- It has 2 hemispheres
- Coordinate voluntary muscle movement
- Posture, balance, & equilibrium
Meninges - Made up of 3 layers
Dua mater: outermost layer, thick & tough
- Supplications of blood to flow to the brain
Arachnoid mater: a thin weblike layer of tissue that doesn’t contain blood vessels or
nerves (acts to remove impurities)
Pia mater: a thin membrane that hugs the surface of the brain - it's rich with veins
and arteries.
Thalamus - Sorts data
- It’s an egg-shaped structure in the brain.
- It’s a relay station for sensory info and motor movement except smelling
Hypothalamus - Located above the pituitary gland
- Sends messages that control its function
- Regulates body temperature
- Synchronizes sleep patterns
- Controls hunger and thirst
- Plays a role in emotions and memory
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