Nervous system

• The overall function of the NS is to control and coordinate our bodies and behaviour, to detect stimuli in the environment.
• The main organ in the NS is the brain.
• The NS is mainly made up of neurons (nerve cells).
• Receptor cells are cells that can detect a stimulus
• Receptors are found in all the sense organs.

  • Ears - sound waves, positioning/balance
  • Eyes - Light
  • Nose - Chemicals in air
  • Skin - Pressure, pain, temperature
  • Tongue - Chemicals in food, soluble chemicals
• Damage to any part of your NS is know as NS damage which could occur from:

  • Injury
  • Disease
  • Genetic conditions
  • Ingesting a toxic substance
• Damage to the PNS (peripheral NS) can affect sensory and motor neurones which can result in:

  • Inability to detect pain
  • Numbness
  • Loss of coordination and movement
• The PNS has limited ability to regenerate.
• The CNS cannot regenerate. Any damage is permanent unless it can be corrected by surgery.
• Damage to the CNS can lead to:

  • Loss of control of body systems
  • Partial or complete paralysis
  • Memory loss or processing difficulties