The Nervous System

1. Chapter 3, Lesson 4 The Nervous System

2. The Nervous System • Job: Carries messages to and from the brain, spinal cord, and all other parts of the body • Tells the body how to respond to its environment. • Divided into two parts: • Central Nervous System • Peripheral Nervous System

3. The Nervous System • Central Nervous System: • Made up of the brain and spinal cord. • Brain: center for thinking • Spinal cord: Thick band of nerve cells that runs through the backbone. • Peripheral Nervous System: • Made up of all the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord to the muscles, skin, internal organs, and glands. • 12 Nerves branch out from the brain • 31 branch out from the spinal cord

4. How the Nervous System Works • The brain receives sensory messages, interprets them, and sends responses. • 12 pairs of Cranial Nerves connect directly to the brain. They control the senses and then muscles in the head and neck.

5. How the Nervous System Works • The Spinal Cord is made up of highly organized nerve tissue. • Spinal nerves branch off from the spinal cord and connect the brain and the spinal cord with specific muscles and organs.

6. Men’s brains, on average, are smaller than women’s. • True • False

7. 30 0 Many people are familiar with déjà vu-the feeling that something has already been experienced. What is the name for the opposite of déjà vu- the feeling that something is new even when its not? • Jamais vu • Deja vecu • Deja Senti • Presque vu

8. 0 of 30 :10 Which of the following objects famously pierced a man’s brain in 1848 without killing him? • A metal rod. • A wooden stake • A horseshoe • A pickax

9. 10 0 of 30 Approximately how many women who live to at least 55 will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease, a disorder that causes severe memory loss? • 1 in 6 • 1 in 12 • 1 in 24 • 1 in 48

10. 0 of 30 10 True or False? We use only 10 percent of our brains. • True • False

11. 10 0 of 30 A person unable to recognize the melody for the song “Happy Birthday” is most likely suffering from which of the following conditions? • Aphasia • Amusia • Lyssavirus • Munchausen Syndrome

12. :10 0 of 30 Which of the following is a gene thought to play an important role in brain development? • Sonic Hedgehog • Snoopy • Mario • None of the above

13. 0 of 30 10 If an adult man’s brain is giving off mainly alpha waves, he is most likely: • Fast asleep • Awake and resting • Awake and nervous • Unconscious

14. 30 0 :10 0 Albert Einstein’s brain was _____ the average adult male brain. • Slightly bigger than • The same size as • Slightly smaller than

15. 0 of 30 10 True or false? If you cut into a person’s brain while they are awake, they will feel pain. • True • False

16. The Brain • The brain is a mass of nervous tissue with three major parts. • Cerebrum: Controls the senses, thought, speech, and voluntary actions. • Cerebellum: Coordinates muscle activity. • Brain Stem: Connects the brain to the spinal cord. • Medulla: Controls involuntary actions, like breathing.

17. The Brain

18. The Nervous System

19. Questions • What part of the brain helps a gymnast maintain balance while doing a routine? • Which part of the brain are you using to answer this question? • Which part keeps you alive? What does it do?

20. Answers • Cerebellum • Cerebrum; because it controls thinking and muscle movement • The medulla; it controls breathing and heart rate.

21. Brain Teasers • Our brain can “play tricks on us.” • http://www.brainbashers.com/opticalillusions.asp

22. Sides of the Brain • Left Brain Functions: • * Uses logic • * Detail oriented • * Facts rule* • Words and language* • Present and past* • Math and science* • Comprehension* • Knowing* • Acknowledges* • Order/pattern perception* • Knows object name* • Reality based* • Forms strategies* • Practical* • Safe • Right Brain Functions: • * Uses feeling • * “Big picture” oriented • * Imagination rules* • Symbols and images* • Present and future* • Philosophy and religion* • Gets the “meaning”* • Believes* • Appreciates* • Spatial perception* • Knows object function* • Fantasy based* • Presents possibilities* • Impetuous* • Risk taking

23. What do they do?

24. The Nervous System • http://multiple-sclerosis.emedtv.com/multiple-sclerosis-video/the-nervous-system.html

25. Neuron – Basic Unit • Neurons are a single nerve cell. • Sensory neurons carry messages from sense organs to the spinal cord and brain. • Motor neurons carry messages from the brain and spinal cord and tell your muscles and glands what to do.

26. Neurons

27. Neurons

28. Nervous System Problems • Spinal Cord Injuries: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/sciprevention.htm • Damage to the head, neck, or body can injure the spinal cord. • Severe weakness, loss of sensation, or paralysis can result. • Head Injuries: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/tbi.htm • Violent blow to the head can permanently damage brain tissue, nerves, and blood vessels surrounding the brain.

29. Nervous System Problems • Cerebral Palsy: • Might be caused by: • A head injury • A defect or injury to the brain before or during childbirth • Lead poisoning • Unintentional injury • Effects range from mild weakness in the arms and legs to lack of muscle coordination, speech impairment, and paralysis

30. Nervous System Problems • Cerebral Palsy: • Picture from: http://www.thespasticcentre.org.au/about_cp/what_is_cp.htm

31. NS Problems • Meningitis: • Infection of the membranes the cover the brain and spinal cord • Symptoms include fever, headache, and vomiting Picture from: http://www.hipusa.com/webmd/encyclopedia/ meningitis/index4.html

32. NS Problems • Epilepsy: • Marked by seizures • Seizures: short periods of uncontrollable muscle activity • May be caused by a small area of brain damage • http://www.epilepsy.com/node/3004?print=true • http://www.epilepsy.com/node/3006

33. Caring for your Nervous System • Get plenty of sleep and rest. • Avoid alcohol and other drugs. • Use a seat belt when riding in a car. • Wear a helmet for sports. • Follow safety rules.