1. Lesson 2 The Nervous System and Sense Organs

2. How Does the Brain Control the Body? The brain and the spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The brain is like a computer and chemical factory combined. ▫It can process and store information and produces chemicals to send signals. Your brain has 3 parts: cerebrum, cerebellum and brain stem.

3. Parts of the Brain… CerebrumBrainnnnnn The cerebrum is the part of the brain that lets a person read, think and remember. Largest part of the brain. Two parts: ▫Right- controls movement on the left side of your body. It is also is the site for artistic skills and instinctive thinking. ▫Left- controls movement on the right side of your body. Is the site for math and language skills and logical, or sensible thinking.

4. Smaller parts of the brain… CerebellumBrain Stem The cerebellum lies between the cerebrum and the brain stem. Your cerebellum controls balance and helps coordinate muscular activities such as walking. The brain stem connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord. One part of the brain stem is called the medulla. ▫Medulla controls the body’s automatic activities. ▫Including: breathing, digesting food, circulating blood, swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.

5. How Does the Spinal Cord Assist the Brain? The spinal cord is a major pathway your brain uses to send messages to your body. It is a large batch of long nerve cells wound together. It connects to your brain stem and extends to the lower part of your back. The spinal column is made up of a series of small bones. These bones surround and protect your spinal cord. The nerves of your spinal cord receive messages from the brain and send them to other sets of nerves.

6. What Does the Peripheral Nervous System Do? The peripheral nervous system is a network of peripheral nerves. They carry messages between your brain and spinal cord and the rest of your body. Peripheral means “located away from the center”

7. Peripheral Nervous System One part of the peripheral nervous system helps control your body’s automatic activities. It helps the body remain stable or under control. It also helps your body act in an emergency. Special part of the peripheral nervous system controls your reflexes. ▫Reflexes are automatic responses to something such as heat or pain.