10.2 The structures and functions of the human nervous system.

Question 1

what is the main function of the nervous system?

Answer 1

to take in information from external and internal environment and coordinate body’s response so you can react to surroundings.

Question 2

Describe the difference between a neurone and a nerve

Answer 2

neurone: single nerve cell;
nerve: bundle of hundreds or thousands of neurones

Question 3

Describe the difference between a sensory neurone and a motor neurone

Answer 3

sensory neurone: carries impulses from sense organs to central nervous system (CNS);
motor neurone: carries information from CNS to body’s effector organs (muscles and glands)

Question 4

State the different types of sense receptor and what they respond to

Answer 4

eye: light
ear: sound, pressure
skin: touch, pressure, pain, temperature, vibration
nose: smell
tongue: taste

Question 5

Explain what happens in your nervous system when you see a piece of fruit, pick it up and eat it (6 Marks)

Answer 5

light from fruit detected by sensory receptors in eyes,
impulse travels along sensory neurone to brain,
information processed in brain,
impulse sent along motor neurone to muscles of arm and hand so you pick up fruit and put it in mouth

Question 6

What 2 reasons does your nervous system use electrical impulses

Answer 6

1. enable you to react quickly to your surroundings

2 coordinate your behaviour

Question 7

What do receptor cells do

Answer 7

detect stimuli (changes in the environment)

Question 8

STUDY TIP
BE CAREFUL TO USE THE TERMS NEURONE AND NERVE CORRECTLY.
TALK ABOUT IMPULSES (NOT MESSAGES) TRAVELLING ALONG A NEURONE

Answer 8

STUDY TIP
BE CAREFUL TO USE THE TERMS NEURONE AND NERVE CORRECTLY.
TALK ABOUT IMPULSES (NOT MESSAGES) TRAVELLING ALONG A NEURONE

Question 9

What are the two main ways to investigate how quickly nerve impulses travel in your body

Answer 9

1. Use the ruler drop test or digital sensors to measure how quickly you react to a visual stimulus
   2 stand in a circle holding hands with your eyes closed and measure how long it takes a hand-squeeze to pass around the circle.