THE NERVOUS AND

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the topic you should be able to:-

1] Say what the functions of the nervous system are

2] Explain the difference between the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems

3] Describe the parts that make up the Nervous System

i. SPINAL CORD   ii. BRAIN   iii. NERVES

4] Explain the working of the nervous system and understand the function of

i. CELLS         ii. NUCLEUS      iii. NEURON    iv. AXONS    v. MUSCLE

vi. ELECTRICAL   vii. SYNAPSE     viii. DENDRITES vi. CHEMICALS

in the working.

6] Understand about Reflexes and give examples.

7] Say what the Structure and workings of the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM are.

Is the most important system of the body.

TRY AND DO THIS IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

Now look at 'Sport Examined' and 'Fundamentals of Health and PE'.

Make any necessary alterations.

Make use of the 2 books available.

The nervous system can be split into 2 parts.

a. the CNS - Central Nervous System

b. The PNS - Peripheral Nervous System

With the aid of a diagram explain the difference between the two.

Now let us look more closely at the individual parts that make up the nervous

system. Answer the following questions in sentences.

A. THE BRAIN

1. Why is it so important?

2. How is it protected?

3. How heavy is it?

4. What are the three sections within the brain?

5. Briefly explain what each section of the brain is responsible for.

B. THE SPINAL CORD

1. Where does it start and finish?

2. How wide is it?

3. What is it made up of?

4. What are its 2 jobs?

C. NERVES

1. What does a nerve look like?

2. What are the 2 groups of nerves found outside the CNS called?

3. What is the job of these 2 groups of nerves?

4. What are SENSORY or AFFERENT nerves?

5. What are EFFECTOR or MOTOR nerves?

6. What are SPINAL nerves?

Read pages 35 - 36 'Fundamentals of Health and PE'

pages 26 - 28 'Sport Examined'

A. What is a nerve made up of?

With the aid of a diagram describe accurately the make up of a nerve cell or NEURON.

B. How do the nerves transmit message?

There is a complicated yet vital procedure that allows message to be transmitted and, therefore, allows us to move.

With the help of the books available, copy the passage below filling in the missing blanks using the following words (not all of them are used).

CELL, NUCLEUS, NEURON, AXONS, MUSCLE,

ELECTRICAL, SYNAPSE, DENDRITES, CHEMICALS

Fibres which transmit impulses away from the main cell body are called __________. Fibres which receive impulses and carry them to the main cell body are called _________. The fibres that carry impulses away do not automatically join into those of the fibres which receive impulses. There is a tiny gap called a __________. In order for a message to move on, the bridge has to be crossed. For this to happen the signal moves along the axon as a __________ message. when it reaches the end ______________ are released and these carry the message across the gap to the dendrite of the next_______________. The above process will continue until the message reaches its required destination. The neurons have, therefore, formed a communication network throughout the body.

Now copy into your book, neatly, the diagram on page 36 'Fundamentals of Health and PE'.

'Transmission of a message through the Synapse'

Can you remember what the difference between a voluntary / involuntary muscles is - if not check back in your notes - WRITE A DEFINITION FOR BOTH

Let us look at the role of voluntary muscles first and how the central nervous system is linked to this movement.

a. What is an EXTEROCEPTOR?

b. What is a PROPRIOCEPTOR?

c. Now with the aid of 'Sport Examined' try and explain how these two work in relation to sport and in particular to the learning and acquiring skills.

COPY:- However, some of our bodily activities are completely automatic and these are controlled by the automatic nervous system [involuntary muscles].

Give some examples of this - in sentences.

Reflexes

a. What do we mean by the word reflex?

b. Give some examples of a reflex action.

Not all an individual's body system is controlled by the nervous system, the ENDOCRINE system has to work alongside it, for it acts as the chemical messenger.

VERY IMPORTANT - REMEMBER!

The nervous system deals with control in the short term but the endocrine system deals with control in the long term e.g. [control of blood sugar levels].

Read 'Fundamentals of Health and PE' pages 39 - 40

'Sport Examined' page 29

The endocrine system consists of glands which secrete hormones [chemical messengers] which circulates them throughout the body.

Now copy the diagram on page 39 showing the glands of the endocrine system.

Then in your own words, explain the role of the following glands:-

Make a special reference to :-

i. their location ii. their function