NZQA registered unit standard
12722 version 4
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Title
Describe the nervous system of the human body
Level
4
Credits
5
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: the
overall organisational structure and function of the human
nervous system; normal structure and function of nervous
tissue; the normal structure and function of the central and
peripheral nervous system; and the relationship between the
sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic
nervous system.
Classification
Health, Disability, and Aged Support > Core Health
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
Reference
Marieb, E.N. (2010). Essentials of human anatomy and physiology (10th ed.). San
Francisco, CA: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.
2
As the content of this unit standard is largely informational, evidence requirements
assume that knowledge will be acquired from the reference text in conjunction with
models and other information-bearing media. In this regard it is expected that
outcomes and evidence will be in accordance with the reference text.
3
Definition
Normal structure and function refers to structure and function which are not impaired
by abnormalities or dysfunction.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the overall organisational structure and function of the human nervous system.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The overall structural classifications of the nervous system are described.
Range
central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, sensory, motor,
somatic, sense organs, autonomic, sympathetic, parasympathetic.
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SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1.2
12722 version 4
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The overall function of the nervous system is described.
Range
input, output integration.
Outcome 2
Describe normal structure and function of nervous tissue.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The normal location and functions of neuron components are described.
Range
2.2
The location and functions of neuroglia are described.
Range
2.3
structure – cell body/soma, axons, dendrites, myelin sheath.
Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia,
ependymal cells.
The basic transmission of a nerve impulse from neuron to neuron, muscle or
gland is described.
Range
irritability/excitability, conductivity, neurotransmitters, chemical
synapse.
Outcome 3
Describe the normal structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The components of the central nervous system are described according to
structure, location and function.
Range
3.2
brain, spinal cord, meninges.
The location and major function of structures forming the brain are described.
Range
cerebrum –functional areas, thalamus, hypothalamus;
brain stem – midbrain, pons varolii, medulla oblongata, vital
centres;
cerebellum.
3.3
The production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid are described according to
the function of cerebrospinal fluid.
3.4
The structure and function of the blood-brain barrier are described.
Range
brain capillary characteristics;
four examples of substances that do cross the blood-brain barrier
and two examples of substances that do not.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
3.5
The locations of spinal cord components are identified.
Range
3.6
coverings, central canal, grey and white matter, spinal nerves;
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral nerves.
The function of the spinal cord is described.
Range
3.7
12722 version 4
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two-way pathway, integration, reflex centre.
The components of the peripheral nervous system are described according to
structure, location and function.
Range
sensory/afferent, motor/efferent.
Outcome 4
Describe the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the
autonomic nervous system.
Evidence requirements
4.1
The function of the sympathetic nervous system is described according to
effects on body processes.
Range
4.2
four examples of effects.
The function of the parasympathetic nervous system is described according to
effects on body processes.
Range
4.3
four examples of effects.
The control of the autonomic nervous system is described according to the role
of the hypothalamus in response to internal and external events.
Planned review date
31 December 2017
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
23 October 1998
31 December 2012
Review
2
26 May 2004
31 December 2012
Review
3
20 March 2008
31 December 2012
Review
4
20 September 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0024
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
12722 version 4
Page 4 of 4
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Community Support Services ITO Limited info@careerforce.org.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Community Support Services ITO Limited
SSB Code 101814
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016