Nervous system

Learning objectives: identify the parts of human nervous system

1. Central Nervous System (CNS): The central nervous system consists of the brain and the
spinal cord. It is responsible for processing and interpreting sensory input, making
decisions, and sending motor output to the peripheral nervous system.

2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves
outside of the central nervous system, including the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that emerge
from the brain and the 31 pairs of spinal nerves that emerge from the spinal cord. The
peripheral nervous system is further divided into two parts:

 Somatic Nervous System (SNS): This part of the peripheral nervous system is responsible
for voluntary movement and sensation. It includes the nerves that control skeletal muscles
and the sensory receptors that detect touch, temperature, and pain.

 Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): This part of the peripheral nervous system is
responsible for regulating involuntary functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and
breathing. It is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, which
work together to maintain balance in the body's systems.

Figure 1: nervous system

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LO: Identify different types of nerves and their function.

What is a Nerve?
A nerve is a cable-like structure within the body designed to conduct nerve impulses that relay
information from one part of the body to another.

A typical nerve is made up of a bundle of fibres which are wrapped around layers of tissue and fat,
and they stretch throughout the body. These nerves transmit information along the axons to the
respective organs. These are the basic elements that constitute a nerve.

Structure of a Nerve
Nerves are the organs that make up the peripheral nervous system. It consists of a cord-like
structure with multiple nerve fibres (also called axons) wrapped in layers of tissue and fat. This
axon has layers of connective tissue around it. This connective tissue is called the endoneurium.
This entire nerve is further enclosed in another layer of connective tissue called the epineurium.

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Types of Nerves
There are three types of nerves in the human body which are classified based on their functions.
These are the sensory nerves, motor nerves and mixed nerves.

1. Sensory Nerves
These are the nerves that send messages to the brain or the spinal cord from the sense organs.
These are enclosed in the form of a bundle like structures or nerve fibres in the peripheral nervous
system. They carry information from the PNS to the CNS (Central Nervous System).

2. Motor Nerves
Motor nerves are those nerves those that carry the messages in the form of a response from the
brain or the spinal cord to other parts of the body such as the muscles and glands. They are
responsible for carrying the information from the CNS to the PNS.

3. Mixed Nerves
Mixed nerves are the nerves that perform both the action of sensory nerves as well as a motor
nerve. They transform electrical impulses from the central nervous system to the muscles of the
body. Generally, the mixed nerves transmit impulses at the rate of 120 metres per second or 432
kilometres per hour.

Function of Nerves
The primary function of nerves to conduct an electrochemical impulse and convey information.
These impulses are carried by the individual neurons that make up the nerve.

These impulses travel from one neuron to another by crossing a synapse. The messages are
converted from electrical to chemical and then back to electrical.

The sensory nerves carry information from the receptor to the central nervous system where the
information gets processed.
The motor nerves, on the other hand, carry information from the central nervous system to the
muscles.

Explain the parts of the brain and their functions.

1. Cerebrum: It is the largest part of the brain and it plays fascinating roles such as thinking,
reasoning, memory, speech and vision.
2. Cerebellum: is situated at the base of the cerebrum. It coordinates muscle movements and
maintains balance of the body.

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 3. Medulla oblongata: is the lowest portion of the brain. It controls activities, which are not
under our will (involuntary) such as heartbeat, breathing, sneezing and digestion.

How is the brain different from the spinal cord in terms of its structure and function?
Spinal cord: it is cylindrical structure that arises from the brain and runs along the vertebral column
(backbone). It’s also carries information from the muscles and skin to the brain. It also carries
information from the brain to the muscles of the limbs and other parts of the body.
Explain the functions of human nervous system.

The human nervous system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that coordinate and
control various functions of the body. It is divided into two major parts: the central nervous system
(CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Here are some of the primary functions of the
human nervous system:

1. Sensory input: The nervous system receives information from the internal and external
environments through various sensory receptors, such as the eyes, ears, nose, and skin.

2. Integration: The CNS processes and integrates sensory information to produce an

3. Motor output: The nervous system sends signals to the muscles and glands to initiate or
inhibit movement or secretion.

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 4. Homeostasis: The nervous system helps maintain a stable internal environment in the body
by regulating various physiological functions, such as blood pressure, body temperature,
and blood sugar levels.

5. Learning and memory: The nervous system enables us to acquire, store, and retrieve
information, which forms the basis of learning and memory.

6. Emotional regulation: The nervous system plays a critical role in regulating our emotions,
including feelings of pleasure, pain, and stress.

7. Consciousness: The nervous system is responsible for our ability to perceive, reason, and
be aware of our surroundings and ourselves.

Justify the importance of the health of the nervous system to the emotional well-being of a
person.
The nervous system plays a vital role in regulating emotions and overall emotional well-being.
The brain, which is the center of the nervous system, is responsible for controlling emotions and
moods by releasing different chemicals and neurotransmitters. Therefore, any dysfunction or
damage to the nervous system can have a significant impact on a person's emotional well-being.
Here are some reasons why the health of the nervous system is important for emotional well-being:

Regulation of emotions: The nervous system controls the production and release of various
hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.
Any disruption in the production of these chemicals can lead to mood disorders such as anxiety,
depression, and bipolar disorder.
Stress response: The nervous system is responsible for the body's response to stress, which can
have a significant impact on emotional well-being. Chronic stress can lead to an overactive nervous
system, leading to anxiety and other emotional disorders.

Memory and learning: The nervous system is also responsible for memory and learning, which
are crucial for emotional well-being. Damage to the nervous system can affect a person's ability to
learn and remember, leading to emotional distress.

Pain and discomfort: The nervous system is responsible for transmitting signals of pain and
discomfort throughout the body. Chronic pain can lead to emotional distress, including anxiety
and depression.

Autonomic functions: The nervous system is also responsible for regulating autonomic functions
such as breathing, digestion, and heart rate. Any dysfunction in the nervous system can lead to
autonomic imbalance, which can cause emotional distress.

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Identify a few diseases related to nervous disorders?
There are many diseases and disorders related to the nervous system. Here are a few examples:

Parkinson's disease: Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects
movement. It is caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and is
characterized by tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination and balance.

Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory,
thinking, and behavior. It is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau proteins in
the brain, which lead to the death of brain cells.

Multiple sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous
system. It is characterized by the destruction of myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers,
which leads to a range of symptoms, including numbness, weakness, and difficulty with
coordination and balance.

Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures. Seizures can cause a range of
symptoms, including convulsions, loss of consciousness, and changes in behavior.

Huntington's disease: Huntington's disease is an inherited disorder that affects the central nervous
system. It is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene and is characterized by the degeneration
of nerve cells in the brain, leading to symptoms such as involuntary movements, cognitive decline,
and behavioral changes.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects
the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It leads to the death of these neurons, causing
muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, respiratory failure.

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