Download Nervous System Task Exploration

Nervous System Task Exploration
Read It! Directions: Each member of the group will read the passage and answer the task questions.
It is important to remember that the answers will come directly from the reading passage.
Read It! Task #1: Why do neurologists need to also know the other body systems?
A. It’s required by the law
B. They treat all patients
C. All doctors should be experts at everything in the body
D. Disease from those systems may impact the nervous system
Read It! Task #2: According to the article, which infectious disease can specifically impact the nervous system?
A. Meningitis
B. Common cold
C. Flu
D. Ebola
Read It! Task #3: Which is not a symptom of a peripheral disease?
A. Brain cancer
B. Vision disease
C. Loss of touch or feeling in hand
D. Loss of muscle function in foot
Read It! Task #4: Which of these tests would neurologists likely use to determine nervous system issues?
A. CT and MRI
B. MRI and Hida scan
C. Urine test and MRI
D. X-ray and Hida scan
________________________________________________________________________________________
Watch It! Directions: Each member of the group will go to the website listed on Task #1. Complete the task
cards in order. Every student will answer the task questions.
Watch It! Task #1: Click Play on the video and answer task questions #2-4.
YouTube: https://goo.gl/RppMgf
G Drive: https://goo.gl/WS7uC3
URL is case-sensitive
Watch It! Task #2: Explain the difference between the two main structures of the nervous system.
Watch It! Task #3: Describe the differences and location of the cerebellum and the cerebrum.
Watch It! Task #4: Briefly summarize how information can flow to and from the distant parts of the body, and
then back to the brain.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Research It! Directions: Each member of the group will go to the website listed on Task #1. Complete the
tasks in order. Every student will answer the questions.
Research It! Task #1: Go to http://goo.gl/HMryPN. Complete the following task:
1. Read the first paragraph and summarize the structure and function of the nervous system.
Research It! Task #2:
1.What is the main function of the brain?
2. Describe the role of the spinal cord.
3. Scroll to the “Nervous System Physiology” section. What are the 3 main functions of the nervous system?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Explore It! Directions: One member of the group will read the tasks in order. The group will be responsible
for completing each of the tasks that are being read. Each member of the group will then write their
conclusions down.
Explore It! Task #1: Use the diagram for the following questions.
1. After looking at the diagram, what role do you think the nervous system plays in the human body?
2. What organs and components make up the nervous system?
Explore It! Task #2: The Nervous System is responsible for controlling the body and communication with all of
its parts. It is composed of:
1. Brain – main hub of where information is processed and responses originate
2. Spinal cord – mass of bundled neurons found in the vertebral cavity that connect the brain and body
Explore It! Task #3:
1. Sensory Organs – eyes, ears, nose, mouth
2. Nerves – bundles of axons that act as the information highway between the brain, spinal cord, and rest of
the body.
Explore It! Task #4: Use the brain diagram and the website to find 3-5 functions for each part of the brain
listed. http://goo.gl/VNPqsn
1. Frontal Lobe
2. Cerebellum
3. Temporal Lobe
4. Parietal Lobe
5. Occipital Lobe
________________________________________________________________________________________
Illustrate It! Directions: Each member of the group will draw a quick sketch that shows they understand the
concept being taught. Use colored pencils and markers.
Illustrate It! Task #1: Use colored pencils to draw a sketch of the nervous system. You must label the brain,
spinal cord, and nerves. Off to the side of the diagram list the specific function of the nervous system.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Organize It! Directions: Draw the diagram and use the 6 labels and place them into pairs at the correct place
on the diagram.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Write It! Directions: Answer each of the task questions.
Write It! Task #1: Explain in your own words what the nervous system is and does.
Write It! Task #2: Provide two situations in which the nervous system works in conjunction with another
body system.
Write It! Task #3: Describe the main organs and components of the nervous system.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Assess It! Station Directions: Each member will answer the task questions.
Assess It! Task #1: Which is not a part of the nervous system?
A. Nerves
B. Brain
C. Spinal Cord
D. Vertebrae
Assess It! Task #2: Which is not true about the human brain?
A. The brain is responsible for controlling all actions in the body
B. The human brain can only create signals to send out to the body
C. The human brains weighs about 3 pounds
D. The brain can be divided up into many different sections and each have their own purpose
Assess It! Task #3: ___________ allow the flow of electrical impulses, or signals, to and from the brain.
A. Arteries
B. Veins
C. Vessels
D. Nerves
Assess It! Task #4: The nervous system works directly with the _____________ system to control the
expanding and contracting of our lungs.
A. Excretory
B. Endocrine
C. Respiratory
D. Nervous
Read It! The Role of a Neurologist
Neurologists are highly intelligent people who dedicate their lives to treating disorders of the nervous system.
This medical profession requires a lot of patience, an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, but
also knowledge of other body systems such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and digestive
systems. This is because any disease affecting these body systems may directly impact brain function and
cause neurological disease.
For example, untreated high blood pressure may cause a stroke, which is a sudden loss of blood supply to a
region of the brain resulting in the death of brain cells. Although initially the disease presents itself as a cardiac
problem, it ends up becoming a significant neurological problem that needs to be addressed by neurologists.
Neurologists also need to have a good knowledge of infectious diseases, bacteria and antibiotics since many
infections can initially affect the brain or can extend towards the brain in their evolution. Meningitis is a good
example of a neurological disease that has an infectious cause. Although initially the patient may be referred
to an infectious disease specialist, a neurologist may take over the case if there is a potential for severe
damage to nervous functioning as a consequence of the disease.
Neurologists also treat peripheral nerve diseases, which may result in loss of muscle function, loss of tactile
perception, loss of sensitivity to pain or temperature and even speech or eyesight impairment. Another major
disease that is addressed by neurologists is epilepsy, and it affects almost one percent of the general
population at some point during their lives.
A neurology specialist will start the investigation of a particular patient by performing a neurological exam,
which involves the assessment of basic brain function, and an individual evaluation of each peripheral nerve
group. This is a method of gaining a basic understanding about the location of the problem within the nervous
system.
However, modern day neurologists don't have to rely solely on their talent of identifying the cause and the
location of the affected region based on clinical examination only. Advanced imaging medical tools such as
Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can provide a more precise. Moreover,
they need to be good at solving problems and observing small details that will help prevent further worsening
of minor health conditions.