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Biology for Kids

The Nervous System

The nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and a large network of nerves that covers all parts of the body. Together the nervous system helps different parts of our body communicate and allows our brain to control what is going on. Without the nervous system our brain would be mush. It wouldn't know anything that was going on in the outside world and wouldn't be able to control our body.

The brain and the spinal cord make up what is called the central nervous system. The rest of the nerves together are called the peripheral nervous system.

Nerves - Peripheral Nervous System

Nerves are sort of like wires that carry communication signals or impulses around the body. Inside each nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers. Some nerves are really long, like the ones that go all the way from your feet to your spinal cord. Nerve cells are called neurons.

There are two main types of nerves: motor nerves and sensory nerves. Within the peripheral nervous system there are also two main sets of nerves: the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system.
The Neuron

Each nerve is made up of many cells called neurons. To learn more about neurons, let's take the motor neuron for example. Each motor neuron has three important parts: the cell body, dendrites, and the axon. Dendrites are branches off the main cell body. They talk to dendrites from the cell next to them over something called a synapse. Axons connect to the muscles and tell them what to do.



Reflex

Our bodies are super smart. Sometimes we need to move so fast that our brains don't have time to think. So our body just bypasses the brain. This happens when we touch something hot. Our hand actually moves before the brain tells it to. The brain eventually finds out what is going on, but our body has done the smart thing and moved first. Your doctor will test out your reflex by hitting your knee in a certain place to see if your leg will move without you thinking about it.

Activities More Biology Subjects

Cell
The Cell
Cell Cycle and Division
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Mitochondria
Chloroplasts
Proteins
Enzymes

The Human Body
Human Body
Brain
Nervous System
Digestive System
Sight and the Eye
Hearing and the Ear
Smelling and Tasting
Skin
Muscles
Breathing
Blood and Heart
Bones
List of Human Bones
Immune System
Organs

 Nutrition
Nutrition
Vitamins and Minerals
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Enzymes

Genetics
Genetics
Chromosomes
DNA
Mendel and Heredity
Hereditary Patterns
Proteins and Amino Acids

Plants
Photosynthesis
Plant Structure
Plant Defenses
Flowering Plants
Non-Flowering Plants
Trees
 Living Organisms
Scientific Classification
Animals
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Viruses

Disease
Infectious Disease
Medicine and Pharmaceutical Drugs
Epidemics and Pandemics
Historical Epidemics and Pandemics
Immune System
Cancer
Concussions
Diabetes
Influenza


Science >> Biology for Kids


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