Let Me Teach You The Nervous System

Nerve cells are also called neurons. There are 3 types of neurons - sensory, motor and association neurons.

Sensory neurons have sensitive nerve endings called receptors.

Sensory nerves are nerves which pass message to the brain and motor nerves are nerves which pass messages from the brain.

Association neurons are in the brain and the spinal cord. They interpret the messages and pass them on to motor neurons.

Each neuron has a cell body which contains nucleus and strands called nerve fibers.

There are 2 types of fibers –

Dendrites carry information to the cell body and Axons carry information away from the cell body.  The axons of 1 cell joins to another cell’s dendrites or a muscle to pass on information.

Nerves are cords that that contain bundles of nerve fibers  Sensory nerves have sensory neurons and motor nerves have motor neurons. Only mixed nerves have fibers from both. The spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves, which runs from the brain down in your backbone. Impulses from all parts of the body pass through the spinal cord.

Information moves all along neurons in the form of electrical signals called nerve impulses. When an impulse reaches between one neuron and the next, a chemical called neurotransmitter is released. If enough of this chemical builds up in the next neuron, an impulse is sent on.

There are 2 types of actions – Voluntary and involuntary actions.

Voluntary actions are actions which are under our control like kicking a ball. We are conscious of it.

Involuntary actions are actions which are beyond our control like beating of the heart. We are unconscious about it.

In nervous system both brain and spinal cord pass messages through motor nerves. The spine or the spinal cord only gives messages when there is a sudden action like when you touch a cactus the reflex action is “OUCH”!

Reflex actions are involuntary actions. They are usually sudden movements, such as pulling your hand when you touch something hot. You become aware of them because of the impulses that are sent to the brain to tell you what is happening.

I hope I helped you understand a few things about our nervous system

© Samruddhhi Kotecha