Class Notes

Nervous System
Grade 7
 Topics to Be Covered

Coordination
1
Neurons and Nerves

2 2.1 Neurons
2.2 Nerves

Human Nervous System

3 3.1 Central Nervous System

3.2 Peripheral Nervous System
 Mind Map
Nervous
System
Peripheral
Nervous
System

Autonomic
Neuron
and Nerve Central
Nervous
System Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

Somatic
Brain

Cranial
Spinal Cord nerves
Spinal
nerves
 1. Coordination

It is the interaction of various activities of the body like

respiration, digestion, etc. of a living being as per the
needs of the body.

Types of Coordination

Nervous Coordination Chemical Coordination

Brought by the nervous Brought by chemical
system (brain, spinal messengers called
cord, nerves, and sense hormones, secreted by
organs) organs called glands
 2. Neurons and Nerves

2.1 Neuron

The structural and functional unit of the nervous system.

Dendrites
Cytoplasmic
extension of the cell
Cell body body that receives
(Cyton) messages (impulses)
Contains nucleus from other neurons

Nucleus
Axon
Transmits impulse to
Axon terminals axon endings
Passes impulse to other
neurons

Synapse

Junction between two neurons

through which impulses pass from
one neuron to other
Types of Neuron

1. Afferent neuron

Carry impulses from sensory

organs to the brain or spinal
Sensory input cord

2. Association neurons

Integration Neurons of brain and spinal

cord

Motor input

3. Motor neuron

Carry impulses from the brain

or spinal cord to effectors
(muscles or glands)
 2.2 Nerves

Myelin
Nerve
sheath

Dendrite

Bundle of
Axon
nerve fibres

• Bundle of axons (nerve fibres) enclosed in the tubular

medullary sheath.
• Medullary sheath acts like insulator that prevents
mixing of impulses

Types of Nerves

Sensory – Carries only sensory neurons. For example,

optic nerve
Motor – Carries only motor neurons. For example,
nerve of muscles of the eyeball
Mixed – Carries both sensory and motor neurons. For
example, nerves of the tongue
 3. Human Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System System

Consists of nerves
Consists of brain
reaching out to all
and spinal cord
parts of the body
 3.1 Central Nervous System

Brain

• Average weight of an adult human brain – 1.5 Kg

• Protected by skull or cranium
• Protective membranes called meninges that are
separated by cerebrospinal fluid, enclose the brain

Cerebrum

Cerebellum
Medulla oblongata

Cerebrum
• Largest portion of the brain which is divided into
right and left cerebral hemispheres (internally
hollow)
• Outer surface folded with ridges and grooves to
which increase the surface area to accommodate
large number of neurons (~9 billion)
• Seat of intelligence, consciousness, and will power,
controls all voluntary activities
Brain

Cerebellum
• Located under cerebrum
• Main function is to balance the body and coordinate
muscular activities
• Cerebrum decides the action and cerebellum
implements it.
• Gets affected by alcohol

Medulla oblongata
• Controls activities of internal organs like beating of
the heart, respiratory movements
• Injury to this parts may result in immediate death

Spinal cord

Brain
• Extension of medulla that
runs down the backbone
• Controls reflexes below the
neck Spinal cord

• Conducts messages from

skin and muscles to the brain
• Conducts commands from
Vertebral
brain to muscles of trunk and column
limbs
 3.2 Peripheral Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System

Spinal Nerves
Cranial Nerves

Arise from the brain Arise from the spinal cord

Autonomic Nervous System

• Consists of a pair of ganglia (mass of nerve cells)

and nerves that control involuntary movements
• Operates through two systems which are
antagonistic (opposite) in their actions:
• Sympathetic – Immediate fight or flight
responses against abnormal conditions
• Parasympathetic – Re-establishes normal
conditions
Question 1:
What is the gap between two neurons called?
What is its function? 2
Marks
Solution:
A Synapse is a tiny gap between the axon
terminals of one neuron and the dendritic [1 Mark]
ends of a successive neuron.

Impulses are passed from one neuron to the [1 Mark]

other via synapse.

Question 2:
State the function of the following:
1) Sensory neurons 2) Motor neurons 3) Association
neurons
3
Marks
Solution:
Sensory neurons carry nerve impulses from
peripheral tissues or receptor to the central [1 Mark]
nervous system.

Motor neurons take nerve impulses from CNS [1 Mark]

to peripheral tissues and organs.

Association neurons are present within the

CNS and make links between sensory and [1 Mark]
motor nerves.
Question 3:
What is the function of cerebrum?
2
Marks

Solution:
The functions of the cerebrum include
thinking, learning, reasoning, speech, etc. It
is a seat for intelligence, consciousness, and
will power. [1.5 Marks]

All voluntary actions are controlled by

cerebrum. [0.5 Marks]

Question 4:
What is cranium? What is its function?
2
Marks

Solution:
The cranium (skull) is a bony box in which
the brain is present. [1 Mark]

It protects the brain from mechanical injury

and any external damage. [1 Mark]
Question 5:
Which part of the brain controls the proper yogic
postures and gymnastic movements? 1
Mark

Solution:
The cerebellum is responsible for muscle
coordination, posture and balance.
[1 Mark]
Therefore, it controls the proper yogic
postures and gymnastic movements.

Question 6:
Which part of the brain extends to form spinal
cord? What is the function of spinal cord? 2
Marks

Solution:
• Medulla oblongata of the brain extends
down to form the spinal cord. The spinal
cord is protected by the vertebral [1 Mark]
column.
• The spinal cord helps in conducting
messages from skin and muscles to the
brain and conducts commands from
the brain to muscles of the trunk
[1 Mark]
and limbs.
Question 7:
What types of nerves are present in the peripheral
nervous system? Where do they originate from?
2
Marks
Solution:
• Peripheral nervous system consists
of all the nerves present in the body. [1 Mark]

• The nerves are divided into two

types –
• Cranial nerves – Originate from
[0.5 Marks]
brain
• Spinal nerves – Originate from
the spinal cord [0.5 Marks]

Question 8:
What is autonomic nervous system? What is its
3
function? Marks
Solution:
• The autonomic nervous system is that part
of the peripheral nervous system which
controls the activities of the organs inside
our body automatically (involuntarily) even
without our thinking about them. [1 Mark]
• Operates through two systems which
are antagonistic (opposite) in their actions:
• Sympathetic – Immediate fight or
flight responses against abnormal [1 Mark]
conditions
• Parasympathetic – Re-
establishes normal conditions [1 Mark]