The Nervous System
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.2.1
The Human Nervous System
The nervous system protects organisms from harm by responding to changes in the environment. It does this by coordinating communication between different parts of organisms. The nervous system is made up of:
The brain
- The brain is one of the components (parts) of the central nervous system (CNS).
- The CNS coordinates the response of effectors.
- Effectors are muscles or glands that act in response to a change in the internal or external environment.
The spinal cord
- The spinal cord is the other component (part) of the CNS. It is also important in coordinating the response of effectors to changes in the environment.
The neurones (nerve cells)
- Neurones (nerve cells) carry electrical impulses (signals) between receptors, the central nervous system (CNS) and effectors.
Test yourself on The Nervous System
What is not a component of the human nervous system?
In what order does a nerve signal travel through the human nervous system?
What is an example of an effector bringing about an action?