1. Nervous System Notes

2. Functions of the nervous system:

3. Receives information from inside & outside the body.

4. Controls & directs body’s functions & responses.

5. Helps maintain homeostasis.

6. Stimulus (stimuli)- anything that the body can react to.
may be internal (from inside the body) or external (from outside the body)
Response- the body’s reaction to a stimulus.

7. Divided into two parts:
Central
Brain
Spinal cord
Peripheral
Body nerves

8. Spinal Cord
Bundle of nerves that runs down the spine to carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

9. Peripheral NS
Somatic NS- carries messages between brain & body to control voluntary muscles
Sensory nerves
Motor nerves
Autonomic NS- Controls organs & involuntary muscles

10. Nerve Cells= Neurons
Basic functioning units of the nervous system that carry messages called impulses.

11. The Brain Coordinates body activities
Made up of approximately 100 billion neurons

12. The Brain
Divided into 3 major parts-
cerebrum
cerebellum
brain stem

13. Cerebrum (Cerebral Cortex)
Coordinates
Thinking & learning
Creativity
Five senses
Memory & emotion
Problem-solving
Decisions
Language & communication
Body movements

14. Cerebellum Coordinates: Senses with other areas of the brain
Most voluntary muscle movements
Helps maintain balance & muscle tone

15. Brain Stem Connects brain to spinal cord
Coordinates: (involuntary actions)
Heartbeat
Breathing
Digestion
Swallowing
Blinking

17. Huntington’s disease
Inherited genetic disease that causes the nerve cells in the brain to waste away.

18. Parkinson’s disease
Degenerative disease that affects the neurons that control muscle movement.

19. Alzheimer’s disease
Degenerative disease that affects the areas of the brain that control thought, memory & language.

20. Epilepsy
Occurs when a cluster of neurons send out the wrong signals and results in seizures.

21. Meningitis
Inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the brain & spinal cord can be caused by a bacteria or virus.