Course
Biology 30
Grade Level
12
Subject
Nervous System
Time Frame
89 minutes
The Neuron
Developed by
Marcelle de Repentigny Lizotte
Title
Stage 1 – Desired Results
Content Standard(s): This unit examines the biological processes that mediate the interactions between humans and their
environment to maintain equilibrium. The nervous system contributes to homeostasis through its response to internal and
external stimuli. Endocrine glands help to maintain homeostasis through the hormones they release into the blood. A study
of the interactions between the nervous and endocrine systems leads to an examination of the functioning of the central and
peripheral nervous systems and their ability to sense the environment and respond to it.
General Outcomes:
 Students will explain how the nervous system
controls physiological processes
Knowledge objectives (outcomes):
Students will . . .
 Describe the general structure and function
of a neuron and myelin sheath, explaining
formation and transmission of an action
potential, including all-or-none response and
intensity of response; the transmission of a
signal across a synapse; and the main
chemicals and transmitters involved, i.e.,
norepinephrine, acetylcholine and
cholinesterase (A1.1k)
Student Self-Assessments
 Working in pairs (peer evaluation)
Essential Questions:
1) What are the different structures of the neuron and their
function?
2) What three kinds of neurons are present in our bodies?
Skill objectives (outcomes):
Students will be able to . . .
o Work collaboratively in addressing problems and apply
the skills and conventions of science in communicating
information and ideas, and in assessing results (A1.4s)
Attitude objectives (outcomes):
Students will be encouraged to…
o Work collaboratively in planning and carrying out
investigations and in generating and evaluating ideas
Stage 2 – Assessment Evidence
Other Evidence (assessments)
 Neuron craft with proper structures and functions labeled
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Learning Activity: We are now starting the nervous system unit. In this introductory class, the basic functions of the
nervous system, as well as the different structures of the neuron will be taught.
What the Teacher does . . .
What the Student does . . .
Time
Materials
Give notes on nervous system, cells of the nervous
system, neurons, grey/white matter and neuron
diagram
Go through notes with students, teaching about the
purpose of the nervous system and the parts of the
neuron.
Display neuron diagram on smartboard and fill in
the blanks in front of class
Students receive notes
4 min
Notes
Follow notes and ask questions
30 min
Notes
Fill in the blanks on their diagram
5 min
Diagram
Neuron craft activity:
-
-
Make groups of 2
Build 1 fully labeled neuron and attach
to the wall
Be sure to include the following
structures and their function:
o Dendrite
o Axon
o Schwann Cell
o Nodes of Ranvier
o Nucleus
o Neurolemma
o Cell Body
o Axon Terminal
o Myelin Sheath
o Effector/Receptor
Must put neuron on 8x11 paper
Manage class
Listen to directives
5 min
Build neuron and hang on wall
45 min
Stickers
Sticky rhinestones
Balloons
Modeling clay
Pompoms
Pipe cleaners
Pencil crayons
Scissors
Tape
Straws
String/yarn
Hot glue guns
Ribbon
Wood skewers
Beads
Popsicle sticks
8x11 paper
Rubric:
Build-A-Neuron
Names:______________________________________________________________________________
All structures are clearly and correctly labeled (dendrite, axon, Schwann cell,
Nodes of Ranvier, nucleus, neurolemma, cell body, axon terminal, myelin sheath,
effector/receptor)
All functions are clearly and correctly displayed
/5
/5
TOTAL
/10
Your Nervous System
-
-
Monitors and maintains a constant internal environment
Monitors and responds to an external environment
o Done by both the nervous system (electrochemical messages to the brain)
and the endocrine system (hormones in the blood)
Memory, learning and language are parts of your nervous system
Three basic functions of the nervous system:
1. Receive sensory input form internal and external environment
2. Integrate the input
3. Respond to stimuli
Sensory Input
- Receptors sense changes in the environment
o Including pressure, taste, sound, light, blood pH
o These are converted to a signal (nerve impulse) and sent to the brain or
spinal cord
Integration
- In the sensory centers of the brain or in the spinal cord, the barrage of input is
integrated and a response is generated
Response
- A motor output (signal transmitted to organs where they can convert the signal into
some form of action)
o For example: movement, changes in heart rate, release or hormones
Cells of the Nervous System
1. Glial (neuroglial) cells
o Non conducting cells
o Used for structural support and metabolism of neurons
o Release calcium and glutamate, allowing neurons to communicate with one
another
o Insulate neurons and around synapses
o 90% of the brain
2. Neurons
o Functional unit of the nervous system
o Three types (sensory neuron, interneuron, motor neuron)
o 10% of the brain
Sensory Neuron
- INPUT
- Relay information about the environment to the CNS for
processing
- E.g. What you see, changes in external temperature, a
touch to the skin
Interneuron
- Link neurons within the body
- Found mostly in the brain and spinal cord
- Integrate and interpret the sensory information coming in
and connect the neuron to an outgoing motor neuron
Motor Neuron
- OUTPUT
- Relay information to the effectors (muscle, gland, and
organ) that make things happen
All Neurons Have…
1. Dendrites
o Receive information from sensory receptors or motor neurons
o Conduct impulses TOWARD the cell body
2. Cell body
o Contains a nucleus, mitochondria, etc
3. Axon
o Extension of the cytoplasm from cell body
o Conducts impulses AWAY from the cell body
o Can be up to 1 m in length
o Extremely thin – 100 can fit in the width of 1 hair
o Carries the nerve impulses towards other neurons or the effector (organ,
gland, muscle about to work)
o Can be covered by a fatty protein called the myelin sheath, which acts as an
insulator for the neuron and prevents the loss of charged ions from the nerve
cell (we say these nerves are myelinated)
o Made up of Schwann cells
o These cells are responsible for the production of the myelin
sheath
o The areas between the sections of myelin sheath are called nodes of Ranvier
o Nerves of the peripheral nervous system also have a neurolemma
o Thin membrane around the axon that allows neurons to regenerate
(rejoin if cut)
o This membrane activates Schwann cells
White Matter vs. Grey Matter
Two types of tissues in the central nervous system
1. White Matter
o Neurons that contain a myelin sheath and neurolemma, giving them a white
color
o Provides communication between different areas of grey matter
o 60% of your brain
2. Grey Matter
o Neurons that do not have a myelin sheath and neurolemma, making them look
grey
o Does the actual processing
o Cannot regenerate, any damage is permanent
o 40% of your brain, but uses 94% of the oxygen supplied to your brain
Multiple Sclerosis
- Your body attacks the myelin sheath around the white matter in your brain,
breaking it down and leaving hard plaques (like scars) behind.
- When nerve messages are sent to the white matter, they get lost
- Slows or blocks muscle coordination, visual sensation and other nerve signals