The Nervous System What is the nervous system

The Nervous System What is the nervous system and how does it work?

Have you heard of the nervous system before? Do you know what it does?

Where is the nervous system? The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and a large network of nerves that covers all parts of the body.

What is a nerve? Nerves are like wires that carry communication signals or impulses around the body. Inside each nerve is a bundle of nerve fibres. Some nerves are really long, like the ones that go all the way from your feet to your spinal cord.

What are the two types of nerve? The Two type so nerves are motor nerves and sensory nerves. Motor nerves - Motor nerves allow the brain to control our muscles. The brain sends signals over the motor nerves to tell our muscles to expand or contract so we can move. Sensory nerves - These nerves carry signals to the brain to tell it about what is going on in the outside world. They come from our skin (touch), eyes (sight), tongue (taste), nose (smell), and ears (hear).

What is the job of the nervous system? Together the nervous system helps different parts of our body communicate and allows our brain to control what is going on. Without the nervous system our brain would be mush. It wouldn't know anything that was going on in the outside world and wouldn't be able to control our body.

What is the ‘central nervous system’? The brain and the spinal cord make up what is called the central nervous system. It’s the central part, controlling and holding together all the other nerves.

Funky Facts The average brain weighs 1. 4 kg and is around 15 cm long. Every brain cell makes connections with around 10 000 other brain cells. The brain uses 20 – 30% of all the blood and oxygen that the body uses. In adults, it is around 44 cm long and can range from 6. 4 mm – 13 mm wide at different points along the way.

Activity: Design a poster to show your nervous system tells your body to do these things: - writing - walking - an activity of your choice