1. How does the brain function?
“The basic structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems.”

2. LI: To identify the structure and function of the nervous system.
Success Criteria:
Describe the three main functions of the nervous system
Identify and explain the six divisions of the nervous system

3. The nervous system is made up of nerve cells called ‘neurons.’
There are three main functions of the nervous system:
Receive information
Process information
Coordinate a response to information
The Nervous System has two main divisions:
Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System

6. Central Nervous System (CNS)
The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord.
Spinal cord: a cable of nerve fibres stretching from the base of the brain to the lower back.
Main functions of the CNS:
process sensory information received through the peripheral nervous system
Send appropriate actions to the peripheral nervous system to be performed

7. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The Peripheral Nervous System comprises all the neurons that carry information between the rest of the body and the central nervous system. It contains sensory neurons that send information to the CNS and motor neurons that receive information from the CNS. The Peripheral Nervous System is composed of the Autonomic Nervous System and the Somatic Nervous System.

8. SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Somatic Nervous System: transmits sensory information received inwards towards the CNS, and motor messages from the CNS to the body’s voluntary skeletal muscles. The somatic nervous system controls all conscious/voluntary movements of the body. For example: talking, eating, walking, reading, writing.

9. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS)
Autonomic Nervous System: transmits motor messages from the brain to the body’s internal organs and glands, which results in involuntary activity of internal organs and glands, and transmits messages back to the brain about the activity level of these organs and glands.
The ANS is divided into two parts:

10. SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Sympathetic Nervous System: the branch of the ANS that alters the activity level of internal muscles, organs and glands to physically prepare our body for increased activity during times of high emotional or physical arousal.
Aids survival by activating the fight/flight response, which prepares the body to face a threat (fight) or escape a threat (flight).

11. PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Parasympathetic Nervous System: the branch of the ANS that maintains an energy level appropriate for normal bodily functioning caused by the domination of the sympathetic nervous system. Maintains normal levels of functioning in the body (homeostasis) and can induce the freeze response, which causes the body to remain motionless in the face of a threat.

13. Summary The three main functions of the nervous system:
Receive information
Process information
Coordinate a response
Six divisions of the nervous system
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Somatic NS
Autonomic NS
Sympathetic NS
Parasympathetic NS

14. Activity
Student Activity Manual: - Activity 2.2 (pages 30-32)