Human Body Systems
Nervous System
Levels of Organization
In a multicellular organism levels are:
cells → tissues →organs →organ
systems
tissues: group of similar cells that perform
same function
organ: group of tissues that work together to
perform complex function (ex: sight)
organ system: group of organs that perform
closely related functions
Human Organ Systems
• Nervous System • Endocrine System
• Respiratory System • Lymphatic/Immune
• Digestive System System
• Skeletal System • Reproductive System
• Muscular System
• Circulatory System
• Excretory System
Body Systems Functions
• Although each of the 10 organ systems
has a different set of functions, they all
work together, as a whole, to maintain
homeostasis.
Nervous System
• The nervous system controls and
coordinates functions throughout the body
and responds to internal and external
stimuli
• Nearly all multicellular organisms have
communication systems
– Specialized cells carry messages from one
cell to another
– Smooth and efficient communication through
the body
Nervous System
• Messages carried by nervous system are
electrical signals called impulses
• Cells that transmit these impulses are
called neurons (basic units of nervous
system)
– 3 types of neurons
1. Sensory
2. Motor
3. Interneurons
Neurons
• Sensory: Carry impulses from sense
organs (eyes, ears, etc) to the spinal cord
and brain
• Motor: carry impulses from the brain and
spinal cord to muscles and glands
• Interneurons: connect sensory and motor
neurons and carry impulses between them
Parts of a Neuron
• Cell Body
– Largest part; contains nucleus and most of cytoplasm
– Most metabolic activities occur here
• Dendrites
– Short, branched extensions
– Carry impulses from environment or other neuron toward cell
body
– Neurons can have several dendrites
• Axon
– Long fiber which carries impulses away from cell body
– Ends in axon terminals, located a distance away from cell body
– Neurons only have one axon
• Myelin Sheath
– Insulating membrane surrounding axon
Neuron
Synapse
• Location where a
neuron can transfer
an impulse to another
cell
• Space between
neurons
• Neurotransmitters are
chemicals used by
neurons to transmit
an impulse across the
synapse
Major Divisions and Parts of the
Nervous System
(CNS and PNS)
Central Nervous System (CNS)
• The CNS serves as the main processing
center for the entire nervous system. It
consists of two main components, namely
the Brain and Spinal Cord.
Central Nervous System
• Brain
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Brain Stem
Thalamus and
hypothalamus
Brain
• Made of 50-100 billion neurons
• 4 lobes or regions
– Frontal Lobe- memory, judgment, inhibitions,
personality
– Temporal Lobe- Long term memory, auditory
processing
– Occipital Lobe- Vision processing
– Parietal Lobe- Sensory integration
Cerebrum: The cerebrum is the largest part of the
brain, accounting for about 85% of its weight. It is
divided into two hemispheres, the left and right, which
are connected by a bundle of nerve fibers called the
corpus callosum.
•Thinking: This includes reasoning, problem-
solving, decision-making, and planning.
•Language: This includes comprehending
spoken and written language, as well as
producing speech and writing.
•Movement: The cerebrum controls all
voluntary movements of the body.
•Sensation: The cerebrum interprets sensory
information from the body and the
environment.
•Emotion: The cerebrum is involved in
processing emotions and generating
emotional responses.
Cerebellum: The cerebellum is located at the back of
the brain, below the cerebrum. It is responsible for:
•Coordination: The cerebellum helps to coordinate
muscle movements, making them smooth and
accurate.
•Balance: The cerebellum helps to maintain balance
and posture.
•Learning: The cerebellum is involved in motor
learning, such as learning new skills.
Brainstem: The brainstem is located at the base of the
brain, connecting the brain to the spinal cord. It is
responsible for:
•Vital functions: The brainstem controls essential
functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood
pressure.
•Reflexes: The brainstem controls many reflexes, such
as coughing and sneezing.
•Sleep and wake cycles: The brainstem helps to regulate
sleep and wake cycles.
Thalamus: The thalamus is located in the center of the brain. It
acts as a relay station, receiving sensory information from the
body and the environment and sending it to the cerebrum. The
thalamus is also involved in:
•Attention: The thalamus helps to focus attention on
important stimuli.
•Memory: The thalamus plays a role in memory processing.
•Emotion: The thalamus is involved in processing emotions.
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is located below the
thalamus. It is a small but important structure that is involved in
many essential functions, including:
•Hormone regulation: The hypothalamus controls the release
of hormones from the pituitary gland.
•Body temperature regulation: The hypothalamus helps to
regulate body temperature.
•Hunger and thirst: The hypothalamus controls feelings of
hunger and thirst.
•Sleep and wake cycles: The hypothalamus helps to regulate
sleep and wake cycles.
Spinal Cord
• Main communications link between the
brain and the rest of the body
• Certain kinds of info (reflexes) are
processed in spinal cord
• Reflex is a quick, automatic response to a
stimulus
– Sneezing and blinking
– Allows your body to respond to danger
immediately without thinking
Peripheral Nervous System
• Lies outside of CNS
• Consists of all the nerves and cells that
are not a part of the brain or spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System
(PNS)
• The PNS connects the central nervous
system to the organs and limbs. It has two
main divisions:
1. Somatic Nervous System
2. Autonomic Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
1. somatic nervous system- regulates
conscious controlled activities
2. autonomic nervous system- regulates
activities that are automatic or involuntary
~Divided into sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system
Somatic Nervous System
• This system is associated with the
voluntary control of body movements and
has two main parts:
1. Spinal Nerves – carry motor and sensory
signals between the spinal cord and the
body.
2. Cranial Nerves – carry information into
and out of the brain stem.
Autonomic Nervous System
• This system is associated with the
involuntary control of the body movements
and has two subdivisions:
1. Sympathetic – activated when the body is
in a dynamic role or stress.
2. Parasympathetic – maintains body
functions and restores the body to normal
or relaxed mode.