Human Nervous System

1. The human nervous system is divided into

(a) Central nervous system (or CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord.
(b) Peripheral nervous system (or PNS) consists of the spinal nerves and cranial nerves.

Chart showing the classification of human nervous system

Human nervous system

Central Nervous System

1. The central nervous system is the control centre of the body.
2. This system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
3. The brain controls all voluntary actions of the body like walking and talking.
4. The spinal cord controls the reflex actions such as sneezing.
Peripheral nervous system

1. The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves which connect the central
nervous system to the receptor and effector located at other parts of the body.
2. The function of the peripheral nervous system is to transmit impulses from the sensory
organ through central nervous system to the effector to respond accordingly.
Neurone
Structure
of a
neurone
1. The basic
unit of
the
nervous
system
is neuron
e.
2. The function of neurones is to carry impulses.
3. Each part of s neurone plays an important role in the transmission of
impulses.
Neurone
Part
Cell body
Dendron
Dendrite
Axon
Myelin
sheath

nervous

Function
Controls all activities of the neurone
Transmits impulses towards a cell body
Receives impulse from other neurone and transmits
them to cell body
Transmits impulses out of cell body
Speed up the transmission of impulses.
Insulator that prevents the leakage of impulses.

Nervous Coordination
1. A stimulus is any change which occurs outside or inside the human body that brings
about a response.
2. A receptor is a cell in the sensory organ which detects stimulus and convert the stimulus
into electrical impulses.

3. There are five main types of sensory organs, the eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin.
4. The reaction to a stimulus is called response.
5. A response may be in the form of movement, caused by muscles or in the form
ofsecretions, produced by glands.
6. Muscles and glands which respond to stimuli are called effectors.
7. All receptors and effectors are connected to the nervous system by neurones.

Reflex actions
1. A reflex action is a fast, automatic and involuntary response towards a stimulus. It is
carried out without conscious by the brain.
2. Reflex actions help us to survive and to protect us from dangerous situation. For
example, jerking away of hand when in contact with a hot kettle.
3. Reflex actions take place in the spinal cord.
4. The path of reflex action is called a reflex arc.

Flow chart showing reflex action occurring through the spinal cord

Example of reflex action when hand is pricked by a sharp nail