NERVOUS & ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

RECEPTOR CELLS

Specialized cells in the sensory systems of the body that can turn other kinds of energy into action potentials that the nervous system can process

Receptor cells in the eye turn light into a neural impulse the brain understands.

SENSORY NEURONS

Nerves that carry information to the central nervous system

Connect the sense organs to the brain and spinal cord

MOTOR NEURONS

Nerves that carry information from the central nervous system

Carries messages from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of your body

INTERNEURONS

Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for processing information related to sensory input and motor output

A NEURAL CHAIN

A NEURAL CHAIN

A NEURAL CHAIN

A NEURAL CHAIN

A NEURAL CHAIN

Most information travels from the body, up the spinal cord, is processed by the brain, sent back down the spinal cord, and then back to the body with behavior instructions. The exception to this general pathway is reflexes.

Reflexes are controlled by the spinal cord without any conscious effort on behalf of the brain. Reflexes serve as primitive responses that protect our bodies from danger and help us adjust to our surroundings.

REFLEXES

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

NERVOUS SYSTEM

The brain and spinal cordThe brain is the location of most

information processing.The spinal cord is the main pathway to

and from the brain.

SPLIT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Consists of Sensory and Motor Nervesconnect the central nervous system to

the rest of the bodyPeripheral means “outer region”The system is subdivided into the

somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

PNS

SOMATIC

The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles

Contains the motor nerves needed for the voluntary muscles

AUTONOMIC

Monitors the autonomic functions

Controls breathing, blood pressure, and digestive processes

Divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

AUTONOMIC

SYMPATHETIC

The part of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body to deal with perceived threats

Fight or flight response

PARASYMPATHETIC

The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body

Brings the body back down to a relaxed state

TO REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE…

What does a parachute do?

The Endocrine System

TWO COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

NervousEndocrine

They both communicate to the body.

ENDOCRINE

The endocrine system communicates by secreting hormones into the bloodstream

HORMONES

What are hormones?The things adults say teenagers

have too much of…Chemical messengers circulated in

the bloodstream.

HYPOTHALAMUS: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

HYPOTHALAMUS

The hypothalamus is the brain region that controls the pituitary gland, or the MASTER GLAND of the endocrine system.It controls homeostasis

PITUITARY GLAND

MASTER GLAND (kind of like how Brad Pitt is a master hottie…)

Controls all other glands.

PITUITARY GLAND

Thirst, metabolismBlood pressure, temperatureSex organs, mammary glandsGrowth - dwarfism and gigantismMay control grooming habits,

companionship, and sexual behavior

ADRENAL GLAND

Located just above the kidneysArouses the body in times of

stressIncrease heart rate, blood pressure,

and blood sugarReleases epinephrine

(adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

PINEAL GLAND

Located in the center of the brain

Hormone “Melatonin”Increased levels: sleepDecreased: wakefulness

THYROID GLAND

Located in the neckEnergy level, metabolismBody tempHypo (underactive):

sleepiness, reduced muscle tone, overweight

Hyper (overactive): excitability, insomnia, ADD, agitation, difficulty focusing

PANCREASLocated behind the stomachRegulates the level of blood

sugar (insulin) in the bloodToo much: sluggishness and

inattentivenessToo little: dehydration, overworked

kidneys, infections

SEX GLANDS

Located in the pelvis (f), in and out of pelvis (m)

Ovaries and testes influence emotion, physical development, reproductive characteristicsAndrogens – primary male hormoneEstrogen – primary female hormone

Males and females have both hormones