Interaction: the Nervous System

The NERVOUS SYSTEM is the system that receives all the information captured by the senses, interprets it and responds or reacts to each situation.

It has special cells called NEURONS and it is divided into two parts:

                                                                                  

1. The Central Nervous System

2. The Peripheral Nervous System

    

1. Central nervous system: the brain and the spinal cord.   

                                                                   

                                               

A. The BRAIN is the most important organ in the nervous system and the main control centre of your body, like a computer. It has three parts:
	FUNCTION
a. Cerebrum	It controls intelligence, memory, personality, emotions, speech and voluntary movements (reading, jumping, etc.) It has different areas or lobes with different functions.
b. Cerebellum	Balance, movement and coordination
c. Brainstem	It controls involuntary movements (breathing, heart beat, blinking of our eyes, etc.) It links the brain and the spinal cord.

                                                                                                                      

   B. The SPINAL CORD 

      The spinal cord is made up of nerve tissue forming a long, thick tube within our spinal column. It is almost like a highway connecting the brain to all the bodies’ nerves. The spinal cord is responsible for all the reflexes, like when you touch something very hot and you take your hand away instinctively, without even thinking.

2. Peripheral nervous system:  

It is a set of NERVES which travel around our body. There are two types of nerves:

     

       a. Sensory nerves: carry information received by the five senses to the brain.   

    

     b. Motor nerves: transmit the brain’s responses to the muscles, joints and skin, which results in movement or a physical reactions like sweating.

How does your nervous system work?

The nervous system: structure

The nervous system

Nervous system 3D animations (just for fun!)