Function 3: Controls itself and senses environment

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Function 3 Controls itself and senses environment
A. Nervous System Controls and coordinates body
systems, senses and reacts to changes in your
environment
Important Terms and Parts Neuron (Nerve Cell)
receives and sends electrical and chemical
messages. (p. 445) Nerve Impulse the
electrical and chemical signal that relays
messages through nervous system Nerves
bundles of nerve cells 3 types sensory, motor,
and mixed. Brain Main control center of NS
directs and coordinates all body processes,
thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Spinal Cord
extends from brain down your back relays
information to/from body to/from brain.
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A. Cerebrum Largest part Responsible for all
your conscious (voluntary) activities Site of
intelligence, learning, judgment Left hemisphere
controls right side of body, tends to be
analytical/ mathematical Right hemisphere
controls the left side of body, tends to be
creative and artistic
C. Brainstem Connects brain to spinal
cord Controls involuntary functions like
breathing, blood pressure, hear rate, swallowing,
etc. Also involved in hearing and vision.
B. Cerebellum Second largest part Coordinates
and balances muscle action for graceful
movement When you learn a physical movement (to
throw a ball), it happens here.
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The Learning Process

• Requires stimulus interesting, new experiences
  in environment and
• Practice thinking and doing to strengthen the
  synaptic pathways (connections)

Important Terms and Parts Synapse The
connections between nerve cells this is where
information is exchanged and stored. Activity
affects how well they work. Short term memory
limited space available learning here must be
transferred to long term memory or it is lost.
Long term memory requires that neurons make
connections between each other the more
connections, then the easier it will be to
remember it.
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Function 3 Controls itself and senses environment
B. Endocrine System Controls many daily body
activities, controls bodys long-term
development
Important Terms and Parts An Endocrine System
Response Hormones chemicals that affect a
specific part of the body can turn it on/off or
slow down/speed up other organs Ex. Adrenaline,
estrogen, testosterone. Endocrine Glands
organs that make hormones and inject them
directly into bloodstream. Pituitary master
gland that controls many other endocrine glands.
Pancreas regulates blood sugar levels by
releasing insulin and glucagon. Thyroid
regulates your bodys metabolism.