Nervous System

Nervous System

Which organ in your body uses the most energy?

What is the biggest cell in your body, and how big is it?

Meet Your BrainYou have about 1 BILLION brain cellsYour brain is about 2% of your bodys weight, but it uses about 20% of your energy.Left half of brain controls right side of body, and vice versaLongest cell in the body = neuron (nerve cell) that goes from spine to foot; about 3 feet long

What are the functions (job) of the nervous system?Sending sensory information (touch, sight, smell, taste and sound) from the body to the brainSending commands from the brain to the bodyMovementBalance and CoordinationReflexes and InstinctsThinking and reasoningMemoryEmotionsDreams

What are the 2 parts of the nervous system?Central Nervous System (CNS) = the brain and the spinal cordPeripheral Nervous System (PNS) = all the nerves in the rest of your body

Processing Piece:Label each of the following as central nervous system or peripheral nervous system:A group of neurons (nerve cells) in the brain that store a memoryA neuron (nerve cell) that feels pain when your burn your fingerA group of brain cells that control body temperatureA neuron in your leg that makes a leg muscle move when you run

What is a neuron?A nerve cellHas 3 main parts: dendrites, cell body, and axon.

Ask students to predict why neurons have such an unusual shape.7

What is the function of axons and dendrites?Dendrites receive (take in) signals from other neurons, or from sensory cells (cells that give information about sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).Axons transmit (send) signals to other neurons or to other cells in the body.

Processing Piece:Draw a picture of a neuron.Label the axons, dendrites, and cell body. Show which way a nerve impulse (signal) will travel.

What are the 3 types of neurons?Sensory Neurons: receive sensory information (how something feels, sounds, looks, tastes, or smells) and sends the information to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)Motor Neurons: carry commands from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles and other cells in the body.Interneurons: connect sensory neurons and motors neurons in the central nervous system

Processing Piece:Illustrate how information travels from sensory neurons, to the CNS, then commands travel back through motor neurons.

What is a reflex arc?A sensory neuron sends a signal that part of your body is in immediate danger:- Example: Your hand is on a hot stove.The impulse reaches your spinal cord.The spinal cord sends a command through motor neurons that makes you react quickly.Example: You pull your hand away.

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Processing Piece:Write reflex arc and draw a picture to illustrate what this looks like.

How do neurons transmit impulses (send message to other cells)?

How do neurons transmit impulses (send message to other cells)?The dendrites receive a signal from another cellAn electrical impulse travels very quickly down the axonWhen the electricity reaches the end of the axon, tiny molecules called neurotransmitters are released from the end of the axon.The neurotransmitters travel to the dendrites of the next cell, and trigger a new electrical impulse in that cell.

How neurotransmitters work:

What is a neurotransmitter?A tiny molecule that carries a message from one neuron to another.Released from the axon of one neuron, into the dendrite of another neuron.

Exit TicketWhat are the functions of the nervous system?Draw a neuron. Label the axon, dendrites, and cell body.Explain how nerves transmit impulses (send signals) from one cell to the next. What is the central nervous system?