THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

What do you think?

FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Receives information about what is

happening both inside and your body.

It directs that way your body responds to information.

It also helps maintain homeostasis.

NEURON OR NERVE CELLS

Nucleus

Cell body

Dendrites

Axon

Axon Tips

DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Central Nervous System – consists of

the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System – consists of all the nerves located outside of the central nervous system.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Central Nervous System

PeripheralNervousSystem

THE BRAIN Controls most body functions

Sends and receives messages all over the body

Consists of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem

CEREBRUM FUNCTIONS Interprets input from the senses Controls the movement of skeletal

muscles Carries out complex mental processes

such as learning, remembering, and making judgments

Divided into two halves– the right and left The left side of your brain controls the

right side of your body and vice versa Right – creativity Left – mathematics and logic

CEREBELLUM FUNCTIONS Coordinates the actions of your

muscles and helps you keep your balance.

Trick! The two l’s in cerebellum look like two legs keeping you balanced while you’re standing up

BRAINSTEM FUNCTIONS Controls your body’s involuntary

actions.Which body functions are involuntary?

Examples: breathing, digestion, swallowing, heartbeat, etc.

PROJECT! Work with a partner to create a

poster that shows your understanding of which activities each part of your brain controls.

You must include the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.Also show the difference between the

left and right sides of the cerebrum.