The Nervous System

• What is the role of the nervous system?

  The nervous system enables humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate their behaviour
• Where does the information from receptors pass to?

  The central nervous system
• What is the central nervous system?

  The part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord
• What is the primary function of the nervous system?

  To enable humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate their behaviour
• How does information from receptors reach the central nervous system (CNS)?

  Information from receptors passes to the CNS through sensory neurones
• What are the components of the central nervous system (CNS)?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What role does the CNS play in response to stimuli?

  The CNS coordinates the response of effectors, such as muscles and glands
• What are effectors in the nervous system?

  Muscles contracting or glands secreting hormones
• What is the primary function of the nervous system?

  To enable humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate their behaviour
• How does the nervous system communicate information?

  It uses electrical impulses to communicate very quickly
• What are the two types of responses that control systems use to maintain conditions in the body?

  Chemical and nervous responses
• What are the components of a control system in the nervous system?

  • Receptors: Cells that detect stimuli
  • Coordination centre: Processes information (e.g., brain, spinal cord)
  • Effectors: Organs, tissues, or cells that produce a response
• What is a stimulus?

  A stimulus is something that sets off a reaction in the nervous system
• What is the plural of stimulus?

  Stimuli
• What is the function of the coordination centre in the nervous system?

  It receives and processes information from receptors around the body
• What are effectors in the nervous system?

  Effectors are organs, tissues, or cells that produce a response
• What types of responses can effectors produce?

  Responses can include muscle contractions or hormone release
• What is the role of the central nervous system (CNS)?

  The CNS coordinates responses by processing information from receptors
• What is the flow of information in the nervous system?

  • Stimulus → Receptor → Coordinator (CNS) → Effector → Response
• What are sense organs?

  Sense organs contain groups of receptors that respond to specific stimuli
• What stimuli do different sense organs respond to?

  • Skin: Touch, temperature, and pain
  • Tongue: Chemicals in food and drink
  • Nose: Chemicals in the air
  • Eye: Light
  • Ear: Sound and position of head
• What is an example of an effector response?

  A muscle contracting to move an arm
• How does a gland function as an effector?

  A gland releases a hormone into the blood
• What is the primary function of the nervous system in humans?


  To enable humans to react to their surroundings and coordinate their behaviour