5th grade class notes

The Nervous System

What is the nervous system?

  • Brain, spinal cord, nerves
  • Control center for your entire body
  • Controls actions and reactions

What are nerves?

  • Neurons (thin threads of nerve cells)
  • Carry messages back and forth
  • Send messages to the brain

There are 2 parts to the nervous system:

1. Central nervous system

  • brain
  • spinal cord

2. Peripheral nervous system

  • sensory organs (eyes, ears, nerves ~ skin)

Sensory receptors ~ detect change in surroundings and sends signals along nerves to the central nervous system

Reflexes ~ automatic responses to certain stimuli