Nervous System

● Definition of few terms associated with nervous system:

1. Stimulus: Any detectable change in the external or internal environment of an organism is called
stimulus.
2. Response: The activity of the living organisms due to an external stimulus.
3. Impulse: A wave of electrical disturbance that runs through the nerves is called impulse.
4. Receptor : The sense organs which receive the stimulus are called receptors.
OR,
The distal ends of the dendrites respond to a stimulus (Internal or external) by initiating
a nerve impulse in a sensory neuron.
5. Effector: Any muscle or gland where response occurs is called effector.
6. Neurotransmitter: A chemical that is released from a neuron which there by transmits an impulse
from one neuron to another neuron at synapse.
● Differentiate between Stimulus and Response

Stimulus Response

1. Any detectable change in the external or 1. The activity of the living organism due to an
internal environment of an organism is external stimulus is called response.
called stimulus.

2. The environment provides stimulation. 2. The response occurs within the organism.

3. In animals, sensory nerves carry the 3. In animals, motor nerves carry the signal
stimulus. for the response.

4. Sensory organs in an organism ‘s body such 4. Effector organs such as muscles , hands ,
as the eyes , ears, nose, skin, tongue , and legs respond to stimuli by producing a
collect stimuli. response.

● Differentiated between Nervous Coordination & Chemical Coordination:

Nervous Coordination Chemical Coordination

1. This coordination is brought about by 1. This coordination is brought about through

nervous system chemical messengers called hormones

2. Signal transmission is fast 2. Signal transmission is slow

3. The effects are short-lived 3. It has prolonged effect

4. Withdrawal of hand from hot surface 4. Combat with emergency situations is an example of
is an example of nervous coordination nervous coordination.

● Functions of Nervous System : ( from book pg.65)

 NEURON
(Structural and Functional unit of Nervous System )
● Differentiate between Cyton and Axon

Parameters Cyton Axon

1. Definition Cyton is the cell body of neurons Axon is the conducting unit of
containing nucleus and cytoplasm. neuron which arises from the cell
body

2. Electrical Impulse Cyton receives electrical impulses Axon conducts electrical impulses
from other neurons through away from the neuron's cell body.
dendrites.

Different Parts of Neuron and their Functions

Parts of Cyton and their functions Parts of Axon

Parts Function Parts Function

[Link] — [Link]

2. Dendrites Their fine branching [Link] Sheath It is an insulating layer

(Dendrites are the highly nature allows them to over the axon that
branched cytoplasmic reach the remotest parts prevents mixing of
extension of the cell of the body from where impulse in adjacent
body of a neuron) they conduct nerve fibers.
impulses towards the cell
body

3. Nissl Granule [Link] of Ranvier

[Link] Cell

[Link] terminal
branch

[Link] Bulb It contains a chemical

called neurotransmitter
([Link]).
Neurotransmitter is
responsible for
transmission of nerve
impulse from one to
another.
 Sensory Neuron Motor Neuron Mixed Neuron
Or
Association Neuron

Carry impulses from the receptor Carry impulses from the Carry impulses from sensory
(sense organs ) to the central central nervous system neuron to motor neuron.
nervous system ( Spinal cord and (Brain & Spinal Cord) to
Brain) effector ( Muscles & Glands)

Direction of the transmission of nerve impulse

● What is nerve?
A nerve is formed of a bundle of axons ( nerve fibers ) enclosed in a tubular
medullary sheath.

Parameter Sensory Nerves Motor Nerves Mixed Nerves

Constituents Sensory Nerves contain Motor Nerves contain only Mixed nerves contain
sensory neurons. motor neurons. both sensory and motor
neurons.

Function Bringing nerve impulses Bringing nerve impulses It performs both the
from the receptor to the from the central nervous function of sensory
central nervous system. system to the effector nerve and motor nerve.
( Muscles & Glands ) to
bring them into action.

Example Optic nerve of the eye Nerves going to the The nerves which goes to
muscles of the eyeball the tongue
● What is a Synapse / Synaptic Cleft ?
A synapse is a small junction between the axon terminal branches of one neuron and the
dendrites of another neuron and it is used for communication between two neurons.

● How does synaptic transmission of impulse take place ?

● A synaptic gap is present between the tip of each axon terminal and the dendrites of the
next neuron.
● In the synapse message of one neuron is transmitted into the next neuron.
● An electrical impulse traveling down the axon releases the neurotransmitter into this gap
and is responsible for the transmission of the message.
● Messages relayed in this manner from one neuron to the next allow the unidirectional flow of
impulses.
 Central Nervous System (CNS)
( It consists of Brain and Spinal Cord )

1. THE HUMAN BRAIN

❖ The brain is protected within the skull and Meninges

❖ Cerebrospinal fluid acts like a cushion to protect the brain from shocks.
❖ Cerebrospinal fluid is located at the central spaces of the brain , space between meninges and
central canal of spinal cord.
❖ Human brain has three parts: Cerebrum, Cerebellum, Medulla Oblongata.

Some Informations about Cerebrum

❖ Largest portion of the brain

❖ Cerebrum is divided into two halves called right cerebral hemisphere and left cerebral
hemisphere
❖ Each hemisphere is internally hollow.
❖ The wall of cerebral hemisphere is divided into cerebral cortex ( outer ) and cerebral medulla
( Inner region )
❖ Cerebral cortex consists of the cell bodies of neurons ( grey matter )
❖ Cerebral medulla consists of the myelinated axons of the neuron. ( white matter)
❖ The cortex of each cerebral hemisphere is folded to form convolutions. These convolutions
increase the surface area of the cerebrum to accommodate more neurons. More neurons means
greater intelligence.
❖ Human cerebrum contains about 9 billion neurons.
 Grey Matter White Matter

1. Outer Part of cerebrum 1. Inner Part of cerebrum

2. It contains cell bodies of neurons. 2. It mainly contains the myelinated axon of

neurons.

Comparative study between the parts of Human Brain

Parameter Cerebrum Cerebellum Medulla Oblongata

Size It is the largest portion of the It is much smaller

brain than the cerebrum.

Location It is located above the It is located under It is located at the base of

cerebellum the cerebrum the brain and continues
upto the spinal cord

Function It is a seat of intelligence and will It maintains body It controls the activities of
power. It controls all voluntary balance and internal organs such as
activities. coordinates beating of heart ,breathing,
muscular activitis. peristalsis of alimentary
canal, etc

2. SPINAL CORD

Location The spinal cord extends from the medulla of the brain and runs down almost through
the whole length of the backbone

Function 1. To control reflexes below the neck

2. To conduct messages from the skin and muscle to the brain
3. To conduct commands from the brain to muscles of the trunk ( or torso ) and
limbs

● In the spinal cord the arrangement of white and grey matter is reversed from that in the
brain . In the spinal cord the inner part is the grey matter while the outer part is the
white matter made up of axons

Differentiate between Medulla Oblongata and Spinal Cord

Parameter Medulla Oblongata Spinal Cord

Locatio It is the lowest part of the brain and It is extend from the medulla oblongata of the brain
continues upto the spinal cord and runs down almost the whole length of the
backbone

Function Control activities of the internal Controls reflexes below the neck and conducts
organs messages from central nervous system to effector
 Peripheral Nervous System ( PNS)
( The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves which carry impulses to and from the
central nervous system. It is divided into somatic nervous systems and peripheral nervous
systems.)

Somatic Nervous System ( It consists of two sets of nerves cranial nerves and spinal nerves)

Difference between Cranial Nerves and Spinal Nerves

Parameter Cranial Nerves Spinal Nerves

1. Origin They emerges from brain They emerges from spinal cord

2. Number They are 12 pairs in number They are 31 pairs in number

Autonomic Nervous System ( ANS )

( ANS consists of a pair of chains of nerves and ganglia found on either side of the backbone
and controls the involuntary activities of the internal organs.)
What is ganglia? Ganglia is the mass of cytons ( cell body ) of nerve cells.

Differentiate between Peripheral Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System

Parameter Peripheral Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System

1. Structure It includes nerves which carries It consists of a pair of chains of nerves

impulses to and from central nervous and ganglia found on either side of the
system backbone.

2. Function It carries impulses to and from the It controls the involuntary activities of
central nervous system. the internal organs.

Differences between central nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Parameter Central Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System

[Link] It consists of brain and spinal cord It consists of a pair of chains of nerves
and ganglia found on either side of the
backbone

2. Function It is a seat for will power, It controls the involuntary activities of

maintenance of body balance, the internal organs.
activities of internal organs and it
controls the reflexes below the neck.