Brain Biology for teachers Unit 4:11 CNS

Explore the functions of the brain and its parts

1. Brain biology for teachers
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
1
DrJeanFourie
Educational
Psychologist
PhDEdPsych
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

2. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is the body’s control center

Three types of neurons carry out the system’s input, output,
and integration functions

Sensory neurons carry input messages from the sense organs to
the spinal cord and brain

Motor neurons transmit output impulses from the brain and
spinal cord to the body’s muscles and organs

Then there are the neurons that link the input and output
functions. These Interneuronsperform connective or
associative functions within the nervous system

The nervous system can be broken down into two major
divisions the (1) peripheral system and the (2) central nervous
system
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
2

3. Nervous system
Central
nervous
system (CNS)
Brain
Spinal Cord
Peripheral
nervous
system (PNS)
Autonomic System
(controls smooth muscle,
cardiac muscle, and
glands; basically
involuntary)
Sympathetic
(generally
activates)
Parasympathetic
(generally
inhibits)
Somatic
System
(Involuntary Muscle
activation)
Education StudiesDr Jean Fourie
3

4. Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
4
The CNS: comprises the brain,
midbrain, brainstem, cerebellum
and spinal bulb (also called the
medulla oblongata) which is
situated in the skull as well as
the spinal marrow (spinal cord)
that is enclosed and protected
by the spine.
ThePNS:Thiscomprisesthe
nerves(cranialandspinal)that
runfromthespinalcordandthe
brainstemtoalltheotherparts
andorgansofthebody.

5. THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Contains all the neural structures that lie outside
of the brain and spinal cord

Its specialized neurons help carry out the
1)
Input functions that enable us to sense what is going on in
and outside of our bodies
2)
The output functions that enable us to respond with our
muscles and glands

The peripheral nervous system has two major
divisions,

the somatic system and the autonomic system
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
5

6. THE SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Consistsofsensoryneuronsthatarespecialisedto
transmitmessagesfromtheeyes,earsandother
sensoryreceptors,andmotorneuronsthatsend
messagesfromthebrainandspinalcordtothe
musclesthatcontrolourvoluntarymovements

Theaxonsofsensoryneuronsgrouptogetherlike
manystrandsofaropetoformsensorynervesand
motor-neuronaxonscombinetoformmotornerves

Thesomaticsystemallowsustosenseandrespond
totheenvironment
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
6

7. THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Thebody’sinternalenvironmentismostlyregulatedby
theautonomicnervoussystem;

Whichsensesthebody’sinternalfunctionsand
controlsglandsandthesmooth(involuntary)muscles
thatformtheheart,thebloodvessels,andthelining
ofthestomachandintestines;

Itislargelyconcernedwithinvoluntaryfunctionssuch
asrespiration,circulation,anddigestion;

Alsoinvolvedinmanyaspectsofmotivation,
emotionalbehaviour,andstressresponses;

Consistsoftwosubdivisions:thesympatheticnervous
systemandtheparasympatheticnervoussystem
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
7

8. SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Has an activation or arousal function to
mobilise body resources when needed

if you encounter a stressful situation the
sympathetic nervous system will speed up
your heart rate so that it can pump more
blood to your muscles, dilates your pupils to
see better, activate the body to respond.
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
8

9. PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Morespecificinopposingactions

Affectsone/twoorgansatatime

Itslowsdownbodyprocessesandmaintainsastateof
tranquility

yoursympatheticnervoussystemspeedsupyourheart
rateandyourparasympatheticnervoussystemslowsit
down;

Byworkingtogethertheymaintainequilibriuminour
internalorgans–thetwosystemsmaintainhomeostasis
abalancedstate

Sympatheticandparasympatheticactivitiescoordinate
tohelpusperformfunctionsofliving
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
9

10. THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(THE BRAIN AND THE SPINAL CORD)

The SPINAL CORD

Most nerves enter and leave the
central nervous system by way of
the spinal cord

In adults it’s about 16-18 inches
long and about 1 inch in diameter

The vertebrae(bones of the spine)
protect the spinal cord’s neurons

Some simple stimulus-response
sequences known as spinal
reflexes can be triggered at the
level of the spinal cord without
any involvement of the brain e.g.
hand on hot stove
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
10

11. THE SPINAL CORD
Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
11

12. Education Studies Dr Jean Fourie
12
Implications for Teachers
Children nervous systems in process of development.
Sensory systems integrating with motor output.
Autonomic NS –activation and inhibition being fine tuned
To learn homeostasis, balance, responses to stressful situations
Assist children with many activities and opportunities that build
Strong bodies and coordinated movements and
Strengthened NS