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Nervous System
Today you will work to identify the function of the nervous system by
determining how fast an impulse travels.
You will time how long it takes for an impulse to travel though a path.
Data Table
Trial #1
Trial #2
Time 1:
Time 2:
Trial #3
Trial #4
Time 3:
Time 4:
Stand in a circle and hold hands.
I will start by squeezing the shoulder of a student. That student will then squeeze their
right hand.
As soon as each student feels the squeeze on their left hand, they will squeeze the
hand to their right.
The impulse and timing stops as soon as the impulse reaches the left hand of the
student who started the squeeze. Have the student call out when the impulse
returns.
Record the time for this trial. Encourage students to try to pass the impulse faster on
trial #2. Repeat steps. Record data for trial #2.
Answer the following.
·
How could this activity model an impulse?
Different types of nerve impulses can travel at different speeds. Regardless of the type,
even the top speed is 3 million times slower than the speed of electricity traveling
through a wire. Share the following numbers with students:
 motor impulses travel at 119 m/s
 sensory impulses travel at 76.2 m/s
 pain impulses travel at 0.61 m/s
Variables will change, because many internal and external stimuli that affect the body.
Not all impulses are the same.
Repeat the activity in the same manner, but this time instruct students to close their
eyes.
Nervous System
The nervous system is the body’s control center and communication network. The
nervous system allows us to think, evaluate, and remember information. The most
important part of the nervous system is the neuron or nerve cell. There are three
functions of the nervous system: sensory input, integration, and motor input.
 sensory input– When the eyes see something or hands touch a warm surface,
the neurons send a message straight to the brain. This action of getting
information from the surrounding environment is called sensory input because
things are being sent to the brain by way of the senses.
 integration– The interpretation, or translation, of things that have been felt,
tasted, and touched with the sensory neurons into responses that the body
recognizes. This process is accomplished in the brain.
 motor output– Once your brain has interpreted all that has been sent by using
any of the senses, then your brain sends a message through neurons to muscle
or other cells, which work to perform the response.
Nervous system: The human nervous system is divided into two different systems:
the central and the peripheral nervous systems.
 central nervous system– It is the body’s most rapid means of maintaining
homeostasis. The central nervous system regulates vital bodily functions by
sensing changes within the body and from the environment. It interprets the
changes and makes adjustments in a split second by delivering electrochemical
impulses. These impulses result in muscular contractions and/or glandular
secretions. The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord
and association neurons. These neurons make up most of the spinal cord
and change the input impulse to output impulses and cause the body to respond.
 peripheral nervous system– There are two types of neurons in this system.
— Sensory neurons send information toward the central nervous system from
internal and sensory organs.
— Motor neurons send impulses away from the central nervous system to
voluntary and involuntary muscles. The motor neurons are divided into the
somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
 interneurons- This is a third type of neuron that sends information between
sensory and motor neurons.
Answer the following.

What organs allow the nervous system to function?

What is the function of the nervous system?
Nervous System
Nervous System