Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
Intro to the Nervous System
Notice: To optimize your learning in this course, we advise that you complete the labs and
modules as indicated in the BIOD 152 Lab Schedule.
The nervous system receives and processes information and sends out signals to the muscles and
glands to elicit an appropriate response. In this way, the nervous system integrates and controls
the other systems of the body.
In the human nervous system, the central nervous system (Figure below) includes the brain and
the spinal cord (dorsal nerve cord), which lie in the midline of the body.
,Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
The skull protects the brain and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord. The central nervous system
can send signals or impulses to and receive impulses from the peripheral nervous system. The
peripheral nervous system includes all nerves not in the brain or spinal cord which are the cranial
nerves that connect directly to the brain and the spinal nerves which project from either side of
the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system connects all parts of the body to the central
nervous system and can be divided into a sensory or afferent division and a motor or efferent
division. The peripheral nervous system receives impulses from the sensory organs via the
afferent division and then relays signals or impulses from the central nervous system to muscles
and glands via the motor or efferent division. The efferent division can be further divided into the
somatic system and the autonomic system. The somatic system nerves control skeletal muscles,
skin, and joints. The autonomic system nerves control the glands and smooth muscles of the
internal organs and are not generally under conscious control and can be divided into two
systems: the sympathetic system which activates and prepares the body for vigorous muscular
,Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
activity, stress, and emergencies and the parasympathetic system which lowers activity, operates
during normal situations, permits digestion, and conserves energy.
Problem Set 1:
1. The function of the nervous system is to integrate and control the other body systems. Explain
how the nervous system does this.
"
The nervous system receives and processes information and sends out signals to the muscles and
glands to elicit an appropriate response. In this way, the nervous system integrates and controls
the other systems of the body.
"
2. List the 2 parts of the central nervous system.
brain & spinal cord
3. How are the parts of the central nervous system protected?
the brain is protected by the skull
the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae
4. How do the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system interact?
The central nervous system sends signals to and receive signals from the peripheral nervous system.
5. What is included in the peripheral nervous system?
all nerves not in the brain or spinal cord such as the cranial nerves
6. What are the 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
sensory division and a motor division
, Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
7. Describe the movement of nerve impulses in the peripheral nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system receives impulses from the sensory organs via the sensory division and
then sends the impulses from the central nervous system to muscles and glands via the motor division.
8. What are the 2 divisions of the efferent division of the peripheral nervous system?
somatic system and the autonomic system.
9. What is controlled by the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
The somatic system nerves control skeletal muscles, skin, and joints.
The autonomic system nerves control the glands and smooth muscles of the internal organs and
are not generally under conscious control.
10. What are the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
11. What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
it activates and prepares the body for vigorous muscular activity, stress, and emergencies
12. What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
it lowers activity, operates during normal situations, permits digestion, and conserves energy
Problem Set 1
1. The nervous system receives and processes information and sends out signals to the muscles
and glands to elicit an appropriate response. In this way, the nervous system integrates and
controls the other systems of the body.
2. The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord.
3. The skull protects the brain and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
4. The central nervous system can send signals or impulses to and receive impulses from the
peripheral nervous system.
Intro to the Nervous System
Notice: To optimize your learning in this course, we advise that you complete the labs and
modules as indicated in the BIOD 152 Lab Schedule.
The nervous system receives and processes information and sends out signals to the muscles and
glands to elicit an appropriate response. In this way, the nervous system integrates and controls
the other systems of the body.
In the human nervous system, the central nervous system (Figure below) includes the brain and
the spinal cord (dorsal nerve cord), which lie in the midline of the body.
,Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
The skull protects the brain and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord. The central nervous system
can send signals or impulses to and receive impulses from the peripheral nervous system. The
peripheral nervous system includes all nerves not in the brain or spinal cord which are the cranial
nerves that connect directly to the brain and the spinal nerves which project from either side of
the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system connects all parts of the body to the central
nervous system and can be divided into a sensory or afferent division and a motor or efferent
division. The peripheral nervous system receives impulses from the sensory organs via the
afferent division and then relays signals or impulses from the central nervous system to muscles
and glands via the motor or efferent division. The efferent division can be further divided into the
somatic system and the autonomic system. The somatic system nerves control skeletal muscles,
skin, and joints. The autonomic system nerves control the glands and smooth muscles of the
internal organs and are not generally under conscious control and can be divided into two
systems: the sympathetic system which activates and prepares the body for vigorous muscular
,Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
activity, stress, and emergencies and the parasympathetic system which lowers activity, operates
during normal situations, permits digestion, and conserves energy.
Problem Set 1:
1. The function of the nervous system is to integrate and control the other body systems. Explain
how the nervous system does this.
"
The nervous system receives and processes information and sends out signals to the muscles and
glands to elicit an appropriate response. In this way, the nervous system integrates and controls
the other systems of the body.
"
2. List the 2 parts of the central nervous system.
brain & spinal cord
3. How are the parts of the central nervous system protected?
the brain is protected by the skull
the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae
4. How do the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system interact?
The central nervous system sends signals to and receive signals from the peripheral nervous system.
5. What is included in the peripheral nervous system?
all nerves not in the brain or spinal cord such as the cranial nerves
6. What are the 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
sensory division and a motor division
, Portage Learning / BIOD 152 / A & P 2 module 1
7. Describe the movement of nerve impulses in the peripheral nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system receives impulses from the sensory organs via the sensory division and
then sends the impulses from the central nervous system to muscles and glands via the motor division.
8. What are the 2 divisions of the efferent division of the peripheral nervous system?
somatic system and the autonomic system.
9. What is controlled by the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?
The somatic system nerves control skeletal muscles, skin, and joints.
The autonomic system nerves control the glands and smooth muscles of the internal organs and
are not generally under conscious control.
10. What are the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
11. What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
it activates and prepares the body for vigorous muscular activity, stress, and emergencies
12. What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
it lowers activity, operates during normal situations, permits digestion, and conserves energy
Problem Set 1
1. The nervous system receives and processes information and sends out signals to the muscles
and glands to elicit an appropriate response. In this way, the nervous system integrates and
controls the other systems of the body.
2. The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord.
3. The skull protects the brain and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
4. The central nervous system can send signals or impulses to and receive impulses from the
peripheral nervous system.
