07 the Nervous System

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- GCSE Bitesize - The nervous system

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Science

The nervous system

The nervous system allows the body to respond, through

effectors, to changes in the environment detected by

receptors. The process involves neurones and is usuallycoordinated by the brain. A reflex action is an extra-rapid

response to a stimulus: this process also involves the

nervous system but i t bypasses the brain.

Receptors and effectors

Receptors

Receptors are groups of specialised cells. They can detect

changes in the environment, which are called stimuli, and turn

them into electrical impulses. Receptors are often located in the

sense organs , such as the ear, eye and skin. Each organ has

receptors sensitive to particular kinds of stimulus.

Different receptors

sense organs receptors sensitive to

touch, pressure, pain and

temperature

chemicals in food

Skin


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chemicals in the air

light

sound and position of the head

Tongue

Nose

Eyes


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The central nervous system (CNS) in humans consists of the

brain and spinal cord. When a receptor is stimulated, it sends a

signal along the nerve cells - neurones - to the brain. The brainthen co-ordinates the response.

Effectors

An effector is any part of the body that produces the response.

Here are some examples of effectors:

a muscle contracting to move the arm

a muscle squeezing saliva from the salivary glanda gland releasing a hormonehormone: chemical

messengers produced in glands and carried by the blood

to specific organs in the body into the blood.

Neurones

Neurones are nerve cells. They carry information as tiny

electrical signals. There are three different types of neurones,

each with a slightly different function:

1. sensory neurones carry signals from receptorsreceptor:

organ which recognizes and responds to stimuli to the

spinal cord and brain.

2. relay neurones carry messages from one part of the

CNSCNS: Central Nervous System (brain and spinal

cord). to another.

Ears


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3. motor neurones carry signals from the CNS to

effectorseffector: organ which has an effect when

stimulated (eg muscles or glands).

The diagram below shows a typical neurone: in this case, a

motor neurone. It has tiny branches at each end (the dendron)

and a long fibre carries the signals (the axon).

The axon is surrounded by a fatty layer known as the myelin

sheath . This helps to protect the neurone and allow impulses to

travel faster.

Synapses

Where two neurones meet, there is a tiny gap called a synapse.

Signals cross this gap using chemicals released by a neurone.

The chemical diffuses across the gap makes the next neurone

transmit an electrical signal.

A motor neurone


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1. An electrical impulse travels along an axon.

2. This triggers the nerve-ending of a neuron to release

chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.

3. These chemicals diffuse across the synapse (the gap)

and bind with receptor molecules on the membrane of

the next neuron.

4. The receptor molecules on the second neuron bind only

to the specific chemicals released from the first neuron.

This stimulates the second neuron to transmit the

electrical impulse

The animation below shows a synapse between two neurons:

Reflex actions

When a receptor is stimulated, it sends a signal to the central

nervous system, where the brain co-ordinates the response.

But sometimes a very quick response is needed, one that

does not need the involvement of the brain. This is a reflex

action.

Reflex actions are rapid and happen without us thinking. For

example, you would pull your hand away from a hot flame

without thinking about it. The animation below allows you to step

through each stage of the reflex arc.

This is what happens:


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1. receptor detects a stimulus - change in the environment

2. sensory neurone sends signal to relay neurone

3. motor neurone sends signal to effector

4. effector produces a response

The way the iris in our eye adjusts the size of the pupil in

response to bright or dim light is also a reflex action.

n bright light:

Radial muscles of the iris relax.

Circular muscles of the iris contract.

Less light enters the eye through the contracted pupil.

n dim light:

Radial muscles of the iris contract.Circular muscles of the iris relax.

More light enters the eye through the dilated pupil.

Now try a Test Bite.

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07 the Nervous System

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