NERVOUS SYSTEM

WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?

WHAT ORGANS ARE INVOLVED?

• brain (CNS)
• Spinal cord (CNS)
• Ganglion (PNS)
• Nerves (PNS)

What are the main functions of the nervous system?

The main functions are used to control the body and communication among its parts. The four primary functions of the nervous system are the sensory, communicative, integrative, and motor functions. Sensory neurons take information for the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin to the brain. The motor neurons carry messages away from the brain to the rest of your body.

What happens if the body system is damaged or stops working?

• Micro brain failures happen in cases of depression and dementia
• A stroke is one example of communication shutting down between nerve cells
• If your nervous system completely breaks down your body wouldn’t receive vital information and you wouldn’t be able to move or think or regulate your body
• You would become brain dead and would need a life support system for your body to stay alive

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• In most cases of brain failures they can be fixed

What diseases and conditions are associated with the body system?

• Alzheimer’s disease: affects the way your brain functions and your memory
• Bell’s palsy: sudden weakened or paralysis of one side of the face
• Epilepsy: long term brain condition where a person has repeated seizures Motor neurone disease (MND): conditions that causes muscle weakness eventually leading to paralysis
• Cerebral palsy: the ability to control muscles is reduced

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• Multiple sclerosis: chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, damage to protective layer around nerve fibers
• Neurofibromatosis: tumors (usually benign)
• Parkinson’s disease: condition from damage to nerve cells where dopamine is created and hinders movement
• Sciatica: pain in the back and legs
• Shingles: painful rash caused by chickenpox virus

KAHOOT

FUN FACTS

• There are more nerve cells in the human brain than there are stars in the Milky Way.
• There are 100 billion neurons in our brain alone.
• If we lined up all the neurons in our body it would be around 965 km long.
• The transmission rate of the axon in a neuronal cell is about 2500 per second.
• The length of a spinal cord measures to about 19 inches, but it holds 10 million neurons.

“Nervous System: Explore the Nerves with Interactive Anatomy Pictures.” InnerBody, Innerbody, www.innerbody.com/image/nervov.html.
“11 Fun Facts About the Nervous System.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/fun-facts-about-the-nervous-system#1.
“What Happens When Nerve Cells Stop Working?” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 27 Sept. 2017, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170927093300.htm.
“Nervous System Diseases.” BMI Calculator | Healthdirect, Healthdirect Australia, www.healthdirect.gov.au/nervous-system-diseases.
OpenStax. Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Edition, BCcampus, 6 Mar. 2013, opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/12-1-basic-structure-and-functio...