Meet the Nervous System
Your nervous system is like a super-fast communication network. It processes information and controls everything from moving your muscles to thinking about your next move!
Nervous System
Divisions of the Nervous System
- Central Nervous System (CNS): Includes the brain and spinal cord.
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): The network of nerves that extends throughout the body.
- Sympathetic Nervous System: Handles the “fight or flight” response when you’re stressed.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: Manages “rest and digest” when you’re relaxed.
Neurons
These are the building blocks of the nervous system. They have:
- Dendrites: Receive messages.
- Cell Body/Soma: Processes messages.
- Axon: Send messages out.
- Synapse: Where messages jump from one neuron to another through chemical messengers.
Did you know
The brain’s cerebrum helps with thinking and learning, the brainstem controls basic functions like breathing, and the spinal cord relays messages between the brain and body.
Diseases
Problems in the nervous system can cause issues. For instance, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) happens when the immune system attacks nerve coverings, affecting movement and thinking.
Conclusion
The nervous system is a complex network that keeps us thinking, moving, and responding to the world!
Challenge
Grab a pencil and some paper! Now, here's a challenge: Try drawing a square with one hand and a circle with the other at the same time! Sounds tricky, right?
Answer
Most people find this tricky because of how our brain works. The brain has two sides, each controlling the opposite side of your body. When you try to draw two different shapes at the same time, the two sides of your brain send mixed signals, making it hard. But here's a fun fact: people with a condition called split-brain, where the two sides of their brain aren't connected, can do this without any problem!