2. The Nervous System  System in our body that gathers and processes information in order to produce responses to stimulus.  Information can be internal or external.

3. The Central Nervous System  Brain – Core of the Nervous System  Takes information from the body, processes it, makes decision, and sends commands  Spinal Cord  Long bundle of neurons that carry information to and away from the brain  Neurons are basic cells of the nervous system that send and receive information within the system

4. Spinal Cord Injury Christopher Reeve

5. Spinal Cord Reflexes  Automatic  Do not require the brain

6. What Carries the Messages?  Sensory nerves  carry messages from the senses to the spinal cord  Motor nerves  carry messages from the spinal cord to muscles and glands. Neurons within the spinal cord excite motor nerves.

7. Nervous System Central Nervous System Spinal CordBrain

8. The Peripheral Nervous System  Contains portions of the nervous system outside the CNS  Handles the input and output of the CNS  Made up of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems

9. Somatic Nervous System  Consists of nerves connected to sensory receptors and skeletal muscles that permit voluntary action  The “skeletal nervous system”

10. Nervous System Central Nervous System Spinal CordBrain Peripheral Nervous System Somatic Nervous System

11. Autonomic Nervous System  Consists of nerves that control involuntary muscles, organs, and glands  Are more or less automatic  Consists of two divisions…

12. How would you feel if I told you right now, that we have a quiz?

13. Sympathetic Division  “Fight or Flight”  Readies us to deal with stressful situations by enabling our bodies to act and expend energy.  Examples:  Increase heartbeat, increases breathing, dilates pupils, inhibits stomach activity, produces sweat

14. Parasympathetic Division  “Eat, drink, and rest” functions  Restores and conserves energy  Examples:  Restores heartbeat, slows breathing, enables digestion and excretion

15. Nervous System Central Nervous System Spinal CordBrain Peripheral Nervous System Somatic Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System Parasympathetic Division Sympathetic Division