The Nervous System – worksheet #1

1. Fill in the following chart: Nervous System

comprised of __________ and

______________

controls the
controls the

2. For each of the following situations, indicate whether the sympathetic or the parasympathetic
nervous system is involved.

a) You get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize you are lost in a run-down
section of a large and unfamiliar city late at night.

b) You are so exhilarated before a soccer match that you know you are ready to devastate your
opponents.

c) When the performance for which you have been preparing so hard for is finally over, you find
yourself exhausted.

d) During an exam you are so concerned that somebody will think you are cheating that you keep
your eyes fixed on your own paper and struggle to hold onto your pen with sweaty hands.

e) You are shivering in a cold wind.

f) The sound of soothing music helps calm you after a very frustrating test.

g) After dealing with a difficult day – AP Calculus followed by AP Economics and a performance in
Acting 11/12 -- you come to psychology class and fall asleep.

h) You have just completed your first performance of aerial silks. You are totally exhilarated, and
to your own amazement, you cannot wait to try the whole thing again.
3. Explain the process of neural communication – how does one neuron communicate with
another?

4. Draw and fully label a sensory neuron, motor neuron and an interneuron (ex. axon, cell body
[soma], dendrites, myelin sheath, nodes of Ranvier, terminal branches, terminal buttons).

5. Describe how the knee-jerk reflex works and why you will pull your finger out from a flame
before you are even aware of the pain.