Free Printable Worksheets for learning Nervous system at the College level

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Nervous System

The nervous system is a complex network of cells and tissues that coordinates the actions and responses of the body. It enables communication between the brain, spinal cord, and all other parts of the body.

Anatomy of Nervous System

  • Central Nervous System (CNS) - Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - Consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.

Types of Neurons

  • Sensory neurons - Carry information from receptors to the CNS.
  • Motor neurons - Carry information from the CNS to effectors (muscles or glands).
  • Interneurons - Act as intermediaries between sensory and motor neurons.

Divisions of Nervous System

  • Somatic Nervous System - Controls voluntary movements and skeletal muscles.
  • Autonomic Nervous System - Controls involuntary movements and regulates internal organs.
  • Sympathetic Division - Prepares the body for physical activity (fight or flight response).
  • Parasympathetic Division - Conserves energy and calms the body (rest and digest response).

Brain Structure

  • Cerebrum - Largest part of the brain, responsible for conscious thought, memory, and perception.
  • Cerebellum - Responsible for balance, coordination, movement, and posture.
  • Brainstem - Connects the brain to the spinal cord and regulates major life functions such as heart rate and breathing.

Key Concepts

  • The nervous system is a complex network of cells and tissues that coordinates the actions and responses of the body.
  • The anatomy of the nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
  • Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system and are responsible for sending and receiving information.
  • The nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
  • The brain is the most complex organ in the body and is responsible for conscious thought, memory, and perception.

Takeaways

  • Understand the anatomy and function of the nervous system.
  • Identify the three types of neurons and their functions.
  • Differentiate between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, as well as the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
  • Be familiar with the structure and function of the brain.

Here's some sample Nervous system vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word Definition
Neuron A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; a nerve cell.
Synapse A junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
Dendrite A short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body.
Axon The long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells.
Reflex An action that is performed as a response to a stimulus and without conscious thought.
Myelin A fatty substance that surrounds the axon of some nerve cells, forming an electrically insulating layer.
Central Involving the brain or spinal cord.
Peripheral Relating to or situated on the edge or periphery of something.
Ganglion A structure containing a number of nerve cell bodies, typically linked by synapses, and often forming a swelling on a nerve fiber.
Nerve A whitish fiber or bundle of fibers that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs.
Spinal cord The cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissue that is enclosed in the spine and connects nearly all parts of the body to the brain, with which it forms the central nervous system.
Cerebellum The part of the brain at the back of the skull in vertebrates. Its function is to coordinate and regulate muscular activity.
Cerebrum The principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres, left and right. Its function is to coordinate and analyze sensory data and perceptions.
Afferent Carrying impulses toward a center, like sensations from the periphery to the CNS
Efferent Carrying impulses away from the center, like instructions from the CNS to do something
Reflex arc The nerve pathway involved in a reflex action including at its simplest a sensory nerve and a motor nerve with a synapse between.
Autonomic nervous system The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls the involuntary action of the heart, glands, and digestive system.
Somatic nervous system The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.
Neurotransmitter A substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.

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Study Guide: Nervous System

Introduction

  • Definition of the nervous system
  • Subdivisions of the nervous system

Anatomy of the Nervous System

  • Neuron
    • Structure of the neuron
    • Classification of neurons
    • Types of synapses
  • Supporting cells
    • Types of supporting cells (glia)
    • Function of supporting cells

Central Nervous System (CNS)

  • Brain
    • Structure of the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem)
    • Lobes of the brain and their functions
  • Spinal Cord
    • Structure of the spinal cord
    • Function of the spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

  • Cranial Nerves
    • Functions of each cranial nerve
  • Spinal Nerves
    • Types of spinal nerves
    • Distribution of spinal nerves

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

  • Sympathetic Nervous System
    • Function of the sympathetic nervous system
    • Activation of the sympathetic nervous system
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System
    • Function of the parasympathetic nervous system
    • Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system

Sensory System

  • Receptors
    • Types of sensory receptors
    • Function of sensory receptors
  • Sensory processing
    • Pathway of sensory processing

Motor System

  • Somatic Motor System
    • Function of somatic motor system
    • Pathway of somatic motor system
  • Autonomic Motor System
    • Function of autonomic motor system
    • Pathway of autonomic motor system

Clinical applications

  • Common nervous disorders
    • Alzheimer's disease
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Stroke
  • Diagnosis of nervous disorders
  • Treatment of nervous disorders

Conclusion

  • Importance of the nervous system
  • Future research in the field of nervous system.

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Practice Sheet: Nervous System

Question 1

What is the primary function of the nervous system?

Question 2

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Question 3

What is the structural and functional unit of the nervous system?

Question 4

What is a synapse? Describe its function.

Question 5

What are the three main types of neurons?

Question 6

What is a reflex arc? Explain the steps involved in a simple reflex arc.

Question 7

What is the function of the cerebellum?

Question 8

What is the limbic system? Explain its role in the body.

Question 9

What are the three meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord?

Question 10

What are the four lobes of the cerebral cortex? Describe the functions associated with each lobe.

Question 11

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Question 12

What is the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

Question 13

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier?

Question 14

What is a neurodegenerative disease? Name three examples of neurodegenerative diseases.

Question 15

What is the difference between a sensation and a perception?

Question 16

What are the different types of sensory receptors in the human body?

Question 17

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

Question 18

What is a neurotransmitter? Provide three examples of neurotransmitters and their functions.

Question 19

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

Question 20

What is the difference between gray matter and white matter in the nervous system?

Nervous System Practice Sheet

Sample Problem:

Describe the three main components of the nervous system.

Step by Step Solution: 1. The nervous system is composed of three main components: the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). 2. The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for processing and integrating information from the body. 3. The PNS is composed of all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, and is responsible for carrying information from the CNS to the body and vice versa. 4. The ANS is composed of two divisions, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which are responsible for controlling involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

  1. Name the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
  2. Describe the role of the peripheral nervous system.
  3. Name the two components of the central nervous system.
  4. What is the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system?
  5. What is the purpose of the parasympathetic nervous system?
  6. What is the difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
  7. Name two functions of the nervous system.
  8. Name three types of neurons.
  9. Name two types of receptors found in the nervous system.
  10. What is the difference between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron?

Practice Sheet: Nervous System

1. What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

A: The two main divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

2. What is the main function of the nervous system?

A: The main function of the nervous system is to coordinate the activities of the body by transmitting signals from one cell to another.

3. What is the difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system?

A: The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and the spinal cord and is responsible for processing and integrating information from the body and the environment. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of the cranial and spinal nerves and is responsible for transmitting information from the CNS to the rest of the body.

4. What is the role of the neurons in the nervous system?

A: Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system. They are responsible for transmitting electrical signals from one cell to another, allowing the body to process and respond to stimuli.

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Problem Answer
What is the basic unit of the nervous system? Neuron
What are the three main parts of a neuron? Cell body, dendrites, and axon
Which part of the neuron carries impulses toward the cell body? Dendrites
Which part of the neuron carries impulses away from the cell body? Axon
What are the small gaps between adjacent Schwann cells called? Nodes of Ranvier
What are the three main types of neurons based on their functions? Sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons
What part of the brainstem controls automatic functions of the body such as heart rate and breathing? Medulla oblongata
Which part of the brain is responsible for higher order thinking like problem solving and decision making? Frontal lobe
What do you call the junction where a neuron communicates with another cell? Synapse
What type of nerve fibers transmit information quickly with a myelin sheath? A fibers
What is the difference between gray matter and white matter in the nervous system? Gray matter contains mainly cell bodies and dendrites, while white matter contains mainly axons and myelin sheaths.
What type of information is processed by the occipital lobe? Visual information
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system? Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
Which part of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles? Somatic nervous system
Which part of the peripheral nervous system regulates involuntary functions like digestion and heart rate? Autonomic nervous system
Problem Answer
What is the main role of the nervous system? The main role of the nervous system is to coordinate the activities of the body by transmitting signals to and from different parts of the body.
What are the two main components of the nervous system? The two main components of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
What is the central nervous system (CNS) composed of? The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) composed of? The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of the nerves and ganglia that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
What are the three main functions of the nervous system? The three main functions of the nervous system are sensory, motor, and integrative.
What is the function of sensory nerves? The function of sensory nerves is to detect changes in the environment and transmit signals to the CNS.
What is the function of motor nerves? The function of motor nerves is to transmit signals from the CNS to the muscles and glands, causing them to contract or secrete substances.
What is the function of integrative nerves? The function of integrative nerves is to process and interpret the information received from the sensory nerves and to coordinate the activities of the body.
What is the difference between the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system? The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary control of the body, while the autonomic nervous system is responsible for involuntary control of the body.
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system? The two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system? The function of the sympathetic nervous system is to prepare the body for action, such as increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system? The function of the parasympathetic nervous system is to return the body to a state of rest, such as decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Quiz on Nervous System

Questions Answers
What is the name of the system that coordinates and controls the body's activities? Nervous System
What is the name of the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system? Neuron
Which of the following is NOT a part of the nervous system? Liver
What is the name of the region of the brain that is responsible for the control of voluntary movement? Cerebellum
What is the name of the nerve that carries impulses from the brain to the rest of the body? Cranial Nerve
What is the name of the bundle of nerve fibers that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain? Corpus Callosum
What is the name of the most primitive part of the brain? Brainstem
What is the name of the small organ located at the base of the brain that helps regulate the body's internal environment? Hypothalamus
What is the name of the large bundle of nerve fibers that connects the brain and spinal cord? Spinal Cord
What is the name of the protective sheath that surrounds and insulates the nerve fibers? Myelin Sheath
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