EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
BIOLOGY / ANATOMY EXPOSEE ASSIGNED BY MR EBAH BRANDON
THEME : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
WRITTEN AND PRESENTED BY : ENGA POUASSI IVANA AND MOMHA
BENEDICTE MARION
INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION : The nervous system is the body’s control center. It is the
communication network of the body. It works very closely with the
Endocrine system to maintain hameostasis. The nervous system
responds rapidly to stimuli using impulses.
The nervous system can also be seen as an organised group of
cells , tissues, and organs specialised for the conduction of
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors through a network to a
site at which a response occurs .
The nervous system uses electrical and chemical means to help all
parts of the body to communicate with each other.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
1) To sense internal and external changes relative to the body .
2) To interpret these changes or stimuli.
3) To respond to these changes or stimuli to maintain homeostatis.
4) Responses result in muscular contraction or glandular secretions.
5) Progams instinctual behaviour.
6) Assimilates experiences as required by memory, learning,
perceptions, behaviours and intelligence.
7) It also function in identifying changes occuring inside or outside the
body by using sensory receptors.
8) It maintains and coordinates body functions including movement and
sensation.
9) It also regulates various body functions such as heart rate , blood
pressure, and body temperature.
ORGANISATION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The nervous system is made up of two parts which are ; The central
nervous system and the Peripheral nervous system .
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
A)The Central Nervous System
It is composed of the Brain and Spinal cord .
The brain is divided into several parts , including the cerebral
hemispheres, cerebellum and brainstem.
The spinal cord is an extension of the brain that runs down the
spinal column.
B)The Peripheral Nervous System
It is composed of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
It is divided into two parts which are the Somatic nervous system and
Automatic nervous system .
1) Somatic Nervous System ; It controls the voluntary functions
such as walking and running etc .
2) Automatic Nervous System ; It controls involuntary functions
such as Sympathetic nervous system (flight or fright
responses), Parasympathetic NS (rest and digest
responses), Enteric NS (controls the function of the
gqstrointestinal system) .
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The peripheral nervous system consist of the sensory nerves , motor
nerves and ganglia .
Sensory nerves ; transmit signals from the CNS .
Motor nerves ; transmit signals from the CNS to muscles and
glands .
Ganglia ; is a groupe of nuerons located in the periphery of the
CNS that act as relay stations of nerves signals .
IDENTIFICATION OF VARIOUS CELLS IN THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM
There exist txo types which are the Nuerons and the the Nueroglia.
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
A. Nuerons : These are the structural and functional units of the
nervous system. They transmit signals and process information
through elrctrical and chemical signals. There are three types of
nuerons ;
Motor nuerons : takes signals from your brain and spinal
cord to your muscles.
Sensory nuerons : take information from your senses.
Internuerons : communicate between the motor and sensory
nuerons.
B. Nueroglia ( also called Glialb cells or glia) : These cells provide
support , protection, and maintain function for nuerons. They
help to ;
Supply nuerons with oxygen and nutrients.
Remove waste products.
Provide structural support.
There are several types of glial cells , including :
i. Astrocytes : star shape cells that provide support and nutrients to
nuerons.
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
ii. Oligodendrocytes :cells that produce the myelin sheath , a fatty
surface that insulates and protects nerve fibres.
iii. Microglia : cells that act as the immune system’s defense against
infection.
iv. Ependymal cells : cells that line the ventricles in the brain and
spinal cord.
THE MECHANISM OF A NERVE IMPULSE
The sensor detects changes in the environment, the electrical and
chemical signals are transmitted from the sensor to the nervous system.
The nervous system process the signals, analysing and interpreting the
information. These processed signals are combined and intergrated to
create a response.
The nervous system generates a response such as movement or
hormonal change. This response is carried out through effectors such as
muscles or glands.
The nervous system uses several mechanisms to transmit and process
signal such as electrical signals, chemical signals and synaptic
transmission.
TRANSMISSION OF NERVE IMPULSE ACROSS A
SYNAPSE
The terminal button of the presynaptic nueron releases small
vessicles called synaptic vessicles which contain nuerotransmitters, the
released nuerotransmitters bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic
nueron’s dendrites. The binding of nuerotransmitters causes a change in
the electrical properties of the postsynaptic nueron, making it more likely
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to fire, if the depolarization is strong enough , it can generate an action
potential in the postsynaptic nueron.
Some nuerotransmitters can also inhibit the postsynaptic nueron.
Excess nuerotransmitters are reabsorbed by the presynaptic nueron or
broken down by enzymes. The signal is terminated and the synapse
returns to it’s resting state.
DEFINITION OF NUEROTRANSMITTER
A nuerotransmitter is a chemical messenger that transmits signals
across a synapse from one nueron to another. EXAMPLES include ;
Acetylcholine, Dopamine, and Serotonin.
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EXPOSEE : THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
THE GENERAL SENSE ORGANS AND THEIR
FUNCTIONS
The general sense organs are responsible for detecting various
stimuli and transmitting signals to the brain. Here are the main general
sense organs and their functions :
1) EYES :
Detect light, color and shape.
Enables us to see and interpret visual information.
2) EARS :
Detect soundwaves.
Allow us to hear and interpret auditory information.
3) NOSE :
Detect chemicals in air
Enable us to smell and distinguish odour
4) TONGUE :
Detect chemicals in food and drinks
Allows us to taste and distinguish flavours
5) SKIN :
Detect pressure, temperature and vibrations.
Enable us to feel and interpret tactile information.
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