NERVOUS SYSTEM

Mr. Marshall

Middle School Health

Nervous System

Learning Target● I can describe the parts of the nervous

system and explain how they work together.

The Control Center●What does brushing your teeth, riding a

bike, and solving a math problem all have in common?●All result from instructions from your body’s

control center.

●Neurons- Specialized cells that make up the nervous system●Unlike body cells they CANNOT repair or

replace themselves if they are damaged●Neurons carry messages to and from

different parts of the body● Reflex arc

Neuron

Parts of the Nervous System●Central Nervous System (CNS)- includes

the brain and the spinal cord.

●Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)- includes the nerves that connect the CNS to all parts of the body.●It carries messages to and from the CNS

Nervous System

Central Nervous System●Brain- the mass of neurons that controls all actions,

emotions, thoughts, and memory.●Weighs about 3 pounds●Blood vessels cover your brain and carry oxygen

and food it needs to work●Well protected by:

●Skull●Meninges- membranes that cover the brain and

spinal cord to protect it.

●Spinal Cord- long bundle of neurons that extend almost the entire length of the body●Relays messages from all parts of the body to the

brain and from the brain to muscles and glands●It’s about the diameter of your index finger,

protected by backbone

Central Nervous System

3 Parts of the Brain●Cerebrum- largest portion of the brain

●controls senses, movement of muscles, thinking, and speech

●Cerebellum- Sits at the back of the head under the cerebrum.●controls balance, posture, and coordination

(fine motor movements)

●Brain Stem- controls vital (important) body actions such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion

Cerebrum-controls senses, movement of muscles, thinking, and speech

Cerebellum- controls balance, posture, and coordination (fine motor movements)

Brain Stem- controls vital (important) body actions such as heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion

All 3 Parts

Four Lobes of the Brain

● FRONTAL LOBE● Located in front of the central sulcus (grooves).● Concerned with reasoning, planning, parts of speech and

movement (motor cortex), emotions, and problem-solving.● PARIETAL LOBE

● Located behind the central sulcus (grooves).● Concerned with perception of stimuli such as touch,

pressure, temperature and pain.● TEMPORAL LOBE

● Located below the lateral sulcus (grooves).● Concerned with perception and recognition of auditory

stimuli (hearing) and memory (hippocampus).● OCCIPITAL LOBE

● Located at the back of the brain, behind the parietal lobe and temporal lobe.

● Concerned with many aspects of vision.

Lobes of the Brain

Front of Head

Back of Head

Peripheral Nervous System

●Made up of many nerves that connect the CNS to all parts of the body

●Peripheral nerves carry messages to and from your muscles or organs

●Two main parts of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)●Somatic system- deals with actions you control

(voluntary)●Examples- stick your arm out or stick your

tongue out●Autonomic System- deals with actions you do

not usually control. (involuntary)●Examples- heartbeat, breathing, digestion

Peripheral Nervous System