MAVO Year 4 · Coordination and control · Section 10.1

The nervous system

Parts of the nervous system

The nervous system connects your body with its surroundings and coordinates activities inside it. It includes the central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves. Parts of the brain studied here include the cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem.

What do nerves do?

Nerves act like communication cables. They carry signals towards and away from the central nervous system, connecting it to sensory organs, muscles and other parts of the body. This allows the body to detect changes and coordinate responses.

How do impulses work?

Stimuli, such as light or smells, are detected by sensory receptors, for example in the eyes or nose. Their activity produces signals in sensory pathways. Nerve impulses are electrical changes travelling along nerve-cell membranes. They carry information through nerves towards the central nervous system. Processing in the brain allows conscious perception, such as noticing a chocolate in front of you.

Responding to stimuli

The central nervous system also sends impulses to effectors, including muscles and glands. Salivary glands may release saliva, and arm muscles may contract to pick something up. The nervous system therefore coordinates both the detection of information and the body's responses to it.