THE NERVOUS
SYSTEMS
GRADE 8
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, students will be
able to:
Identify the two main parts of the
nervous system.
Explain the difference between
voluntary and involuntary actions.
Understand how neurons transmit
signals in the nervous system.
WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?
The nervous system is one of the most important systems in your body
because it acts as the control centre and communication network. It
allows you to interact with the world around you and keeps your internal
body functions working smoothly.
Control Centre Transmits Signals Coordinates Actions
The nervous system is Neurons carry The nervous system
one of the most electrical signals to hel ps different parts
important systems in and from your brain of your body work
your body because it and spinal cord. These together by sending
acts as the control signals tell your messages through
centre and muscles to move, let special ised cel l s cal l ed
communication your brain know when neurons. These
network. It allows you you feel something messages travel
to interact with the (like hot or cold), and quickl y, l ike signal s
world around you and keep all your organs moving through wires,
keeps your internal running properly. al l owing your body to
body functions respond immediatel y
working smoothly. to changes around
you.
TWO MAIN PARTS OF THE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The Central Nervous System CNS is like the command
centre of the body. It processes information and
controls all the activities in your body, both voluntary
like moving your hand and involuntary, like breathing.
The CNS is made up of two main parts the brain and
the spinal cord.
The Peripheral Nervous System PNS is made up of all
the nerves that are outside the CNS. These nerves
branch out from the brain and spinal cord and reach
all parts of your body like a network of telephone
lines connecting every area to the main control
centre. The PNS connects your body to the CNS and
plays a crucial role in sending and receiving signals.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(CNS)
The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Brain:
The brain is the control centre for the entire body. It
processes sensory information, thoughts, emotions, and
controls body functions like movement.
The brain is divided into different regions that handle
specific tasks.
Spinal Cord:
The spinal cord acts as a highway for information traveling
between the brain and the body. It sends instructions from
the brain to the body and carries sensory information back
to the brain.
It also coordinates reflexes, which are fast, automatic
responses to stimuli.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(PNS)
The PNS is made up of all the nerves that branch
out from the brain and spinal cord and extend to
other parts of the body, like the arms, legs, and
organs.
The PNS has two main divisions:
Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary
movements of the muscles and sends sensory
information to the CNS.
Autonomic Nervous System: Regulates
involuntary functions like heart rate,
digestion, and breathing.
AUTONOMIC SYSTEM:
SYMPATHETIC & PARASYMPATHETIC
The Autonomic Nervous System is divided into two parts:
Sympathetic Nervous System:
Prepares the body for stressful or emergency
situations, also known as the "fight or flight" response.
It increases heart rate, widens airways, and slows
down digestion to give the body more energy and
focus in dangerous or stressful moments.
Parasympathetic Nervous System:
Helps the body relax and recover after stress. This is
called the "rest and digest" response.
It slows the heart rate, promotes digestion, and helps
the body conserve energy.
HOW THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM WORKS
The nervous system functions by using
neurons, which are specialised cells
that carry messages throughout the
body.
Neurons communicate using electrical
and chemical signals. These signals
travel along the neuron until they reach
a synapse, which is a small gap
between neurons.
When the signal reaches the synapse,
neurot ransmitters or chemical
messengers are released to carry the
signal across the gap to the next
neuron or muscle, allowing
communication to continue.
KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM
Sensory Input:
The nervous system collects information from the external
environment through sensory receptors for example your skin,
eyes and ears.
For example, if you touch something hot, sensory nerves send a
signal to the brain.
Integration:
The brain processes and interprets the sensory information to
make decisions about how to respond.
For instance, if the brain detects that something is hot, it will
decide to move your hand away.
Motor Output:
The nervous system sends signals to muscles or glands to make
the body respond.
For example, after touching something hot, your brain sends a
signal to your hand muscles to pull away.
SUMMARY & IMPORTANCE
The nervous system is essential for
coordinating everything the body does, from
thinking and feeling to moving and reacting.
It keeps the body in balance, or in homeostasis,
by controlling both voluntary actions, like
moving your muscles and involuntary functions
like breathing or digesting food.
Key takeaway: Without the nervous system, we
couldn’t move, feel, think, or function properly.
It’s the control and communication system that
keeps everything working together.