Name:______________________
Date:___________________
Nervous System Webquest
Part 1:Go to http://www.nsta.org/publications/interactive/nerves/index.html
to find the answers to the following questions.
Start by going to explore a nerve cell on the left hand side and click on see it
in action.
1. What are neurotransmitters? What do they do?
2. What is a potential? How is that related to how neurons send messages?
3. What are important ions in the nervous system?
4. What happens when a neuron is not sending a message? What is the resting
potential of a neuron?
5. What is an action potential?
Now go to nervous system explorations and click on How fast a message
travels, simple reflexes and brainstorms.
Name:______________________
Date:___________________
6. How fast does a message travel in the nervous system? How is it compared
to the speed of a car?
7. How does a reflex work?
8. What is epilepsy? What are some symptoms? How can it be treated?
Lastly click on keeping your balance: homeostasis
9. How does the nervous system help your body maintain homeostasis?
Part 2: Next go to http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/introb.html to find
the following information.
Go to the World of Neuroscience and click on the link A Computer in Your
Head
10. How does your brain and nervous system act like a computer in your head?
Name:______________________
Date:___________________
Brain basics: How the nervous system interacts with other body systems
11. Pick 3 other body systems and briefly describe their function and how the
nervous system interacts with them.
Sensory Systems: Pain and Why it Hurts
12. Why do we need pain even though it hurts? What is the advantage of being
able to detect pain?
13. Name three types of painful stimuli with examples and the possible result if
left untreated.
Name:______________________
Date:___________________
The Effects of Drugs on the Nervous system
14. Pick one of the drugs listed and describe its effects on the nervous system.
Neurological and Mental Disorders
15. Pick one of the neurological and mental disorders and describe its effects on
the nervous system.