1. II. How the Nervous System Works

2. A. Definition Nervous system never rests (even when asleep)
Controls body functions, emotions, movements, thinking & behavior
All parts of nervous system are protected (skull protects brain; vertebrae protects spinal cord)

3. B. Parts of the Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS)– includes brain & spinal cord
Spinal cord: consists of nerves that run down back & transmits messages between body & brain
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)- includes smaller nerves that branch out from spinal cord
Takes info from body’s organs to CNS & return info to organs

4. C. Parts of the PNS
Somatic Nervous System (SNS): controls voluntary activities
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): controls involuntary activities
Has two parts:
Sympathetic Nervous System– prepares body for dealing with emergencies or strenuous activity
Parasympathetic Nervous System– saves energy to help body recover from strenuous activity

5. 5

6. III. Parts of the Brain

7. A. The Hindbrain 1. Location- Rear base of the skull 2. Includes:
Cerebellum- behind spinal cord
Helps control posture, balance, and voluntary movements
Medulla- controls breathing, heart rate, and a variety of reflexes
Pons- functions as bridge between spinal cord & the brain
Produces chemicals the body needs for sleep 7

8. B. The Midbrain 2. Includes:
Location- Small part of the brain above pons
(part of the brain stem)
2. Includes:
Reticular Activating System (RAS) spans across these structures
Alerts the rest of brain to incoming signals & is involved in sleep/wake cycle 8

9. C. The Forebrain Location- Covers brain’s central core Includes:
Thalamus- Station for info traveling to & from
Hypothalamus- Controls hunger, thirst, & sexual behavior
2. High thinking processes are also housed in forebrain
Cerebral cortex- outer layer of forebrain
Gives you the ability to learn & remember
Cerebrum- inside layer of the forebrain 9

10. D. The Limbic System Location- Found in core of forebrain
2. Role- Controls emotions & motivations
Includes hypothalamus; amygdala (controls violent emotions); thalamus; & hippocampus (important in the formation of memories)
Covering all these parts is cerebrum 10

11. E. Cerebrum Consists of 2 hemispheres, or halves
2. The hemisphere is connected by a band of fibers called corpus callosum (carries messages between two)
3. Each hemisphere has deep grooves that mark regions known as lobes
Occipital Lobe: Controls vision
Parietal Lobe: Concerned with info from senses all over body
Temporal Lobe: Concerned with hearing, memory, emotion, & speaking
Frontal Lobe: Organization, planning, & creative thinking.
Both hemispheres have same 4 lobes 11