The central nervous system controls the body by processing information and sending signals. Understanding how it works helps us see how our bodies respond to changes and interact with the world. Use this resource to explore how the nervous system keeps everything connected and running smoothly.
The nervous system
The nervous system is a complex network that controls all the activities in your body. It helps you think, feel, and move by sending messages between your brain and the rest of your body. The nervous system by Medium69 and Jmarchn via Wikimedia Commons licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
The nervous system is made up of:
the brain
the spinal cord
the nerves.
It plays a critical role in helping us interpret information from the environment and coordinate a response.
Sensory organs
The sensory organs are vital components that allow the nervous system to gather information about the environment. These include eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. Each organ is specialised for detecting specific stimuli.
The eyes detect light and enable us to see.
The ears are responsible for hearing and balance.
The nose senses smells.
The tongue detects taste.
The skin senses touch, temperature and pain.
These organs send signals to the brain, where the information is processed to form perceptions and guide responses. The sensory organs are essential for interacting with and responding to the world.
Did you know?
Human hearing is so sensitive that some people can hear a watch ticking from over \(6\) metres away in a quiet environment!
The central nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS) is the main control centre of the body. It consists of the brain and spinal cord, which work together to the interpret information we receive from the environment and coordinate a response.
The CNS plays a crucial role in everything from simple reflexes to complex cognitive processes.
The brain
The brain is the most complex organ in the body and serves as the command centre. It manages thoughts, emotions, memory, and decision-making. As well as this, it regulates vital functions like breathing and heartbeat.
The brain is divided into different regions, each with specialised functions.
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is responsible for higher thinking processes and voluntary movement. Divided into two hemispheres (halves), it is organised into lobes that handle different functions like decision-making, sensory information, and regulation of emotions.
Did you know?
The cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the cerebrum, is folded into grooves and ridges to increase its surface area. This allows for more neurones and higher processing power.
The cerebrum allows us to interact with our environment through language, creativity and problem-solving. This forms the basis for intelligence and personality.
The cerebrum is divided into four main lobes. Their functions are explained in the table.
Lobe
Functions
Frontal lobe
Responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, planning and controlling voluntary movements; plays a role in personality and behaviour
Parietal lobe
Processes sensory information related to touch, temperature and pain; helps with spatial awareness and understanding language
Temporal lobe
Involved in hearing, memory and language comprehension; helps process auditory information and is key for recognising faces and objects
Occipital lobe
Primarily responsible for processing visual information; enables us to understand shapes, colours and motion
The lobes work together to make sure that the cerebrum is able to effectively manage complex tasks and responses. Use the 3D model to explore the position of each lobe.
An interactive three-dimensional model of a brain with the lobes of the cerebrum shown in different colours.
Brain model:
Frontal lobe (blue): thinking/imagination
Temporal lobe (green): sound and speech processing
Occipital lobe (red): visual processing
Parietal lobe (yellow)
Pre-frontal lobe (blue): executive and cognitive functions, personality
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is found at the back of the brain, under the cerebrum. It focuses on coordination and balance by fine-tuning motor activities (movements that involve our muscles). This allows for smooth and precise movements.
By bringing together sensory inputs from the body and environment, the cerebellum helps us maintain posture and adjust the position of our body during activities. Overall, the cerebellum contributes to effective motor control and learning.
Brainstem
The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord. It consists of three parts:
midbrain: controls eye movement and visual and auditory processing; regulates reflexes for seeing and hearing
pons: connects the upper brain regions with the cerebellum; assists in regulating breathing patterns; influence sleep cycles and facial expressions
medulla oblongata: manages vital functions like heartbeat and breathing; coordinates swallowing, sneezing and digestion; serves as a pathway for nerve signals between the brain and body.
The brainstem also controls reflexes and acts as a pathway for messages between the brain and the body. It helps us survive by managing processes and responses that should be autonomous or reflexive.
The spinal cord
The spinal cord acts as a highway for messages between the brain and the rest of the body. It is responsible for transmitting signals to and from the brain, allowing for fast reflex actions.
The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column and consists of nerve fibres that carry impulses to control movements and respond to sensory inputs. Together, the brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system, ensuring that the body operates in a coordinated and efficient manner.
