Exploring the Nervous System: Structure and Function

Biology Grades High School 8:48 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson provides an overview of the nervous system's structure, including the central and peripheral divisions, brain regions, and nerve types. It's designed to help students understand the basic organization of this critical biological system.

Video Resource

Structure of the nervous system | Organ Systems | MCAT | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine

Duration: 8:48
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Key Concepts

  • Central Nervous System (CNS) vs. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
  • Brain Regions: Cerebrum, Brain Stem, Cerebellum
  • Afferent vs. Efferent Neurons

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to differentiate between the central and peripheral nervous systems.
  • Students will be able to identify the major regions of the brain and their embryonic origins.
  • Students will be able to explain the difference between afferent and efferent neurons and their roles in transmitting information.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they already know about the nervous system. Briefly discuss the importance of the nervous system for controlling body functions and responding to stimuli. Introduce the video and explain that it will provide a structural overview.
  • Video Viewing (15 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video: 'Structure of the nervous system | Organ Systems | MCAT | Khan Academy'. Encourage students to take notes on the key structures and their functions as they watch.
  • Guided Discussion and Clarification (15 mins)
    After the video, facilitate a discussion to review the key concepts. Use diagrams and models (if available) to reinforce understanding. Address any questions students may have about the different brain regions, nerve types, or terminology.
  • Activity: Nervous System Mapping (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific part of the nervous system (e.g., cerebrum, brain stem, spinal nerves). Have each group create a visual representation (diagram, flowchart, or concept map) of their assigned part, highlighting its components and their functions. Groups then present their maps to the class.
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (10 mins)
    Review the main points of the lesson and administer the quizzes (multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank) to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • Brain Region Labeling
    Provide students with unlabeled diagrams of the brain and have them label the major regions (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, midbrain, pons, medulla). This can be done individually or in pairs.
  • Nerve Pathway Simulation
    Using a scenario (e.g., touching a hot stove), have students role-play the pathway of information from the stimulus to the brain and back to the muscles, emphasizing the roles of afferent and efferent neurons.

Discussion Questions

  • What are the main functions of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem?
  • How do afferent and efferent neurons work together to allow the body to respond to a stimulus?
  • Why is the division of the nervous system into central and peripheral important?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Processing
  • Visual Representation
  • Anatomical Identification

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is NOT a part of the central nervous system?

Correct Answer: Nerves

Question 2:

The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher-level thinking, is the:

Correct Answer: Cerebrum

Question 3:

Which part of the brain connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord?

Correct Answer: Brain Stem

Question 4:

The afferent neurons are responsible for:

Correct Answer: Carrying information into the CNS

Question 5:

Which of these is NOT a part of the brain stem?

Correct Answer: Cerebrum

Question 6:

What is the name for the long, stringy structures that are a part of the peripheral nervous system, and carry axons of neurons all over the body?

Correct Answer: Nerves

Question 7:

The peripheral nervous system is called this because?

Correct Answer: It goes out all over the rest of the body

Question 8:

What part of the nervous system consists of nerves and ganglion?

Correct Answer: Peripheral Nervous System

Question 9:

How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?

Correct Answer: 31

Question 10:

Where do the afferent neurons travel through, as they bring information into the central nervous system?

Correct Answer: Spinal Nerve Roots in the back

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the ___________.

Correct Answer: spinal cord

Question 2:

The ____________ is located behind the brain stem and is important for motor control.

Correct Answer: cerebellum

Question 3:

Neurons that carry information *into* the central nervous system are called ____________ neurons.

Correct Answer: afferent

Question 4:

The _______ consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla.

Correct Answer: brain stem

Question 5:

Nerves exit the skull, and are called ____________ nerves.

Correct Answer: cranial

Question 6:

__________ are lumps attached to nerves, that contain the somas of neurons

Correct Answer: ganglia

Question 7:

The axons traveling through these nerves are going to be carrying information, from the __________ to the central nervous system.

Correct Answer: periphery

Question 8:

Neurons whose axons carry information away from the central nervous system are called ___________ neurons.

Correct Answer: efferent

Question 9:

There are _______ pairs of cranial nerves.

Correct Answer: 12

Question 10:

The spinal nerves form from two parts called ___________.

Correct Answer: spinal nerve roots

Educational Standards

B.LS1.2:[Standard] Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.

Teaching Materials

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