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Guide 6A

Nervous System

Organs, tissues, & cells.

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In this guide you will explore the basic structures and functions of the nervous system.

Video Overview

Watch this guide overview video; you can select the closed captioning “cc” option if you would like to see the text.

Nervous System Guide Contents

Complete all four of these sections before taking the quiz and making your media piece.

Nervous System Objectives

Nervous Overview

List the organs and functions of the central and peripheral parts of the nervous system; describe the somatic and autonomic components of the motor response; and indicate the locations of some of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, including the sciatic nerves, median & ulnar nerves, and cranial nerves.

Neurons

Identify the parts of a neuron in a drawing or microscopic image, including the dendrites, cell body, axon, and myelin; explain what occurs at a synapse when one neuron communicates with another neuron; and describe the path information takes through nerves in a reaction test that requires a subject to see and respond to a falling object.

Neural Circuits

Outline the basic steps of a reflex arc, including how a signal travels through the nervous system is a “knee jerk” response; and identify parts of the spinal cord, including the gray matter, white matter, and nerve roots.

Neural Impacts

Explain why it is important to understand how the brain functions, not just in terms of individual health, but also economically; describe how pain relief medications and caffeine impact the nervous system; and demonstrate how distractions can impact focus, and why this can be a problem.

Nervous System Product Page

Look ahead to the products (quiz & media piece) you will be making after completing this guide’s four activity pages.

Nervous System Resource Page

Would you like to learn more than what is covered in this course?  Visit these extra resources for a lifetime of learning.

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6B: Brain