UNIT 3 THE CONSCIOUS SELF AREA OF STUDY 1: MIND, BRAIN & BODY
THE SPINAL CORD The cable-like column of nerve fibres that extends from the base of the brain to the lower back. It is encased in a series of bones called the vertebrae Receives sensory information from the body (via the peripheral nervous system) and sends these messages to the brain Receives information from the brain and sends it to relevant parts of the body (via the peripheral nervous system) to control muscles, glands and various organs KK 5A – PAGE 195-197
THE SPINAL CORD Transmission of information occurs through interconnected neurons that form neural pathways (circuits or tracts) Ascending neural pathways: for somatosensory information which comes in from various parts of the body through the spinal nerves up to the brain Descending neural pathways: for motor information which leaves the brain and travels down the spinal cord to exit via the spinal nerves to its destination in the muscles, organs and glands KK 5A – PAGE 195-197
THE SPINAL CORD THE SPINAL REFLEX KK 5A – PAGE 196-197 SENSORY INTER-NEURONS MOTOR NEURONS NEURONS NO INPUT FROM BRAIN
HOMEWORK LEARNING ACTIVITY 4.12 (pg.197) KK 5A – LEARNING ACTIVITY 4.12 (PAGE 197)