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15.1.214-15 · Homeostasis and Control

The Nervous System — Cambridge AS & A Level Biology 9700 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 6 parts Lesson 17 of 31 1 quiz

📚 Cambridge AS & A Level Biology 9700 Hub / Topical Revision
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Lesson summary

15.1.2 The Nervous System — CAMBRIDGE AS & A LEVEL BIOLOGY 9700 — REVISION NOTES notes: Describe the organisation of the nervous system and compare it with the endocrine system.Central nervous system — the brain and the spinal cord.Peripheral nervous system — all the nerves in th…

  • Coordination
  • Nerve impulse
  • Peripheral nervous system — all the nerves in the body
  • Function — lets us make sense of our surroundings, respond to them and coordinate body functions
  • Impulses — electrical signals passing along nerve cells called neurones
  • Nerve — a bundle of neurones

Part 1 of 4Organisation

Central nervous system
  • Central nervous system the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system
  • Peripheral nervous system all the nerves in the body.
Function
  • Function lets us make sense of our surroundings, respond to them and coordinate body functions.

Part 2 of 4Nerve impulses

Impulses
  • Impulses electrical signals passing along nerve cells called neurones.
Nerve
  • Nerve a bundle of neurones.
Coordination
  • Coordination neurones coordinate sensory receptors, decision-making centres in the CNS and effectors such as muscles and glands.

Part 3 of 4Parts of the system

PartRole
ReceptorsDetect stimuli, for example in the eye
CNSDecision-making centres
EffectorsMuscles or glands that respond

Part 4 of 4Nervous compared with endocrine

FeatureNervous systemEndocrine system
PartsBrain, spinal cord, nervesGlands
MessageElectrical impulseChemical hormone
TransmissionNeuronesBloodstream
TargetMuscles or glandsTarget cells in specific tissues
SpeedVery fastSlower
DurationShort, until impulses stopLonger, until the hormone is broken down

Key terms

TermMeaning
CNSCentral nervous system: brain and spinal cord.
PNSPeripheral nervous system: all the nerves.
NeuroneNerve cell carrying impulses.
NerveBundle of neurones.
EffectorMuscle or gland that responds.
Nerve impulseElectrical signal passing along a neurone.

Avoid these mistakes

1
Saying the nervous system sends hormones — it sends electrical impulses.
2
Saying the PNS includes the brain — the brain and spinal cord are the CNS.
3
Saying nervous effects are long-lasting — they are short-lived.
4
Saying a nerve is a single neurone — it is a bundle of neurones.

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