Central Nervous System
1. Encephalon (brain, cerebellum & brain stem)
-protected by several layers of tissue such as:
Encephalon
The Brain
•
Separated into 2 hemispheres. The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and the left hemisphere controls the
right side of the body.
•
Made up of grey matter and white matter
Functions of the Brain:
1.
Responsible for memory, logic and
judgment
2.
Analyzes and interprets the nerve impulses
sent from the sensory organs
3.
Produces nerve impulses to stimulate muscles to move
Encephalon
The Cerebellum
• Separated into two hemispheres (right and left)
• Made up of grey and white matter
Functions:
1. Responsible for movement and balance
2. Determines the required force and speed needed for a certain movement
Encephalon
The Brain Stem
Functions:
1. Regulates respiratory rate, heart rate,
blood pressure and reflexes
(coughing, swallowing, hiccupping,
vomiting and sneezing)
The Spinal Cord
• Long string of nerves found inside (protected by) the vertebral
column. It runs between the brain stem to the lower back
(just under the rib cage).
• Contains grey and white matter
• Spinal nerves jut out of the spinal cord to cover every part of
the body
Functions:
1. Transport electrical nerve impulses from the encephalon to
the motor nerves
2. Transport electrical nerve impulses from sensory nerves to
the encephalon
Spinal Cord Injuries
Try This!
1. What composes the peripheral nervous
system?
2. Name the layers of tissue that protect the
encephalon.
3. Name the 2 organs that make up the
encephalon.
4. What are the functions of the brain,
cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord?