Nervous System Worksheet

Name

Section A: Intro to Nervous System

The Nervous System regulates and coordinates activities within the body. It detects, interprets and
responds to changes that occur internally and externally. Sensory receptors gather information and send
electrical impulses to the Central Nervous System (CNS – spinal cord and brain). Electrical impulses are
processed and generate appropriate reactions by sending electrical impulses via nerves to effector organs
such as muscle and glands. The diagram illustrates the divisions of the nervous system.

1. The CNS is composed of the Brain and spinal cord .

2. What is the function of the brain?

3. What is the function of the spinal cord?

4. The PNS has two divisions – the sensory and motor division.

a. What is the function of the sensory division? Relay information from sensory nerve receptors to the CNS
b. What is the function of the motor division? Relay information from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands
5. The motor division is composed of the Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
6. What does the somatic nervous system control? Voluntary muscle movements, from CNS to skeletal muscles
7. What does the autonomic nervous system control? Involuntary responses, from CNS to cardiac muscles, smooth
muscles, and glands

8. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is further divided into two divisions – sympathetic and parasympathetic
division. What’s the difference between these two subdivisions? Sympathetic division mobilizes body stems during
emergency situations. Parasympathetic division conserves energy and promotes non-emergency functions

Section B: Divisions & Functions

1. The Nervous System has 3 major functions. Identify the function based on its description.
a. Sensory Input : receives the stimuli and then takes the information to the
brain/central nervous system.
b. Integration : make decisions/process information.
c. Motor Output ; the act of carrying a response to a gland or muscle.

1
2. The sensory pathway is also referred to as the (afferent/efferent) pathway. Afferent
3. The motor pathway is also referred to as the (afferent/efferent) pathway. Efferent
4. The motor pathway carries information (to / away from) the central nervous system.
Away
5. The sensory pathway carries information (to / away from) the central nervous system.
To
6. What does the CNS stand for? Central Nervous System
7. What does the PNS stand for? Peripheral Nervous System
8. What does the ANS stand for? Autonomic Nervous System
9. The (CNS/PNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. CNS
10. The (CNS/PNS) is made up of the nerves that lead to and from the brain and spinal cord. PNS
11. Which sensory division carries information from the skin, skeletal muscles and joints to the CNS?
Somatic sensory fibers
12. Which sensory division carries information from the visceral organs within the ventral body cavity to the
CNS? Visceral Sensory Fibers
13. Which motor division conducts information from the CNS to the skeletal system?
. What is another name for this division?
14. The ANS is further divided into the . This
division is commonly referred to as the involuntary division – why would it be called this?

15. The (parasympathetic/sympathetic) division of the nervous system mobilizes the body in emergency
situations making someone more alert. It is this portion of the nervous system that causes a person to
get the adrenaline rush in times of anxiety, anger, excitement resulting in an increased respiration rate,
increased heart rate, increased perspiration, etc… Sympathetic
16. The (parasympathetic/sympathetic) division of the nervous system regulates your body’s activities
under “normal”/stable conditions i.e. times when your emotional state is normal without any mood
swings associated to anger, excitement, etc… Parasympathetic
17. Identify which division and function of the nervous system. Put a check in the appropriate boxes.

Division of the
Nervous System Nervous System Functions
CNS PNS Sensory Input Integration Motor Output

A. Brain 
B. Decision Making 
C. Getting “chill bumps”
D. Hearing a noise
E. Processing
F. Sweating 
G. Spinal Cord 
H. Glands secrete substances  
I. Thinking 
J. Tasting something
K. Meissner’s Corpuscles, Pacinian
Corpuscles, and Free Nerve
Endings
L. Picking up an object

M. Feeling Something
Section C: Neuroglia
1. What are the two types of cells that make up nervous tissue? Neurons and neuroglia

2. What are the functions of neuroglia cells? Provide a supportive scaffolding for the neurons, segregate and
insulate neurons so that electrical activities of adjacent neurons do not interfere with each other, the
development of neuron connections and health and growth
3. List 2 characteristics of neuroglia cells. Central cell body and branching processes

Match the neuroglia cell with the correct function:

astrocytes microglia ependymal
oligodendrocytes schwann cells satellite cells

4. Schwann cells Cells that produce the myelin in the PNS.

5. Oligodendrocytes Cells that produce the myelin in the CNS.
6. Microglia Phagocytes that dispose of debris such as dead brain cells and bacteria.
7. Astrocytes Anchors and braces neurons with cellular projections.
8. Ependymal Cells have cilia that help circulate the cerebrospinal fluid.
9. Satellite Cells help cushion and protect neurons in the PNS.
10. Astrocytes Cells serve as a medium for diffusion between capillaries and neurons.
11. Ependymal Cells line cavities of the brain and spinal cord.

12. Which glial cells are found only in the PNS? Schwann cells and satellite cell
13. Color the glial cells in the diagram.
Section D: Neurons
1. What is the function(s) of neurons?
2. Sam was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Which type of cells would be dividing uncontrollably to form the
tumor – neuroglia or neurons? Neuroglial cells

Match the parts of a neuron with the correct function.

nodes of ranvier axon terminals axon hillock
axon dendrites synapse
myelin soma synaptic cleft

3. Soma Contains the nucleus and is the metabolic center of cell

4. dendrites Slender fibers that conduct impulses toward the soma
5. synapse Junction of two neurons
6. synaptic cleft Space between the axon terminal of one neuron & the dendrites of another
neuron
7. axon Long fiber that extends from soma and conducts impulses away from soma
8. axon terminals End branches that contain neurotransmitter storage vesicles
9. nodes of ranvier Gaps found between the myelin sheaths
10. myelin Fatty material that protects fibers and speeds up impulse transmission
11. axon hillock Part of the soma that connects to the axon

 Did you know? Synapses change as we learn from our experiences. The brain forms new synapses
when we are learning and removes unneeded synapses. Our brain is constantly adapting to reflect
our lives. http://www.healthybrainforlife.com/

12. Label the neuron.

A. Dendrites

B. Soma

C. Nucleus

D. Myelin Sheath

E. Nodes of Ranvier

13. Explain how an impulse is transmitted through

a neuron starting at the sensory receptors.
Nerve impulse are transferred from one neuron to another neuron by formation of synapse between the end of 1st neurons axon and the
dendrites of other neuron with the help of neurotransmitters.

Section E: Types of Neurons

Neurons are divided into afferent, efferent, and interneuron. In sensory (afferent) neurons, the dendrites are
connected to sensory receptors and the axons are connected to other neurons. The receptors change
information from external sources, such as light waves or sound vibrations, into electrical impulses. In motor
neurons, the dendrites are connected to other neurons, and the axons to effectors (muscles and glands).
Interneurons connect afferent and efferent neurons allowing them to communicate. Interneurons are located
entirely within the CNS and conduct signals between other nerve cells. In interneurons, the dendrites are
connected to the sensory fiber axons and the axons are connected to the motor fiber dendrites.
Sensory neurons conduct impulses
from the sense organs to the spinal
cord where interneurons form
ascending tracts that transmit
sensory impulse to the brain for
integration. Impulses are
transmitted from the brain by
interneurons that form descending
tracts in the spinal cord. Motor
neurons conduct impulses from the
spinal cord to effector organs.

1. What are the 3 types of neurons? afferent, efferent, and interneurons

2. What is the function of the afferent neurons? To receive and transmit messages to the central nervous
system from all parts of the body.

3. What is the function of interneurons? Receive nerve impulses from many other neuron and enabling
communication between sensory or motor neurons and the central nervous system

4. What is the function of efferent neurons? To receive and transmit the information from the central nervous
system to all parts of the body.

5. Which neurons have sensory receptors? Afferent

6. Where are the sensory receptors located on a neuron?
7. Which neurons cause movement or action in an organ? Efferent
8. What are ganglia? Collection of highly interconnected subcortical nuclei in the brain.
9. Which neuron has ganglia in the PNS?

Section F: Neuron Physiology

1. Nervous tissue possesses two distinctive properties – irritability and conductivity. Define these terms.
a. Irritability - ability to respond to stimuli and convert to nerve impulses

b. Conductivity - ability to transmit an impulse to other neurons, muscles, or glands

2. Using the diagram, compare the conduction rate in an unmyelinated fiber and a myelinated fiber. Which
fiber conducts an impulse faster? Explain your answer: Unmyelinated nerve fiber conducts and
impulse over its entire surface. Myelinated fibers conduct impulses more rapidly. nerves with larger
diameters conduct impulses faster than those with small diameter
3. An inactive neuron is polarized. What is meant by polarized? Cell move according to their concentration
gradient to make even to both areas. Higher concentration of K+ inside the cell and Higher concentration
of Na+ outside of the cell. In resting cell, the inside of the cell membrane is negatively charged and outside
of the cell membrane is positively charged.

4. What causes depolarization? Na+ channel open K+ channel begin to open depolarization result because
the inward movement of Na+ make the inside positive
5. What causes repolarization? Na+ channel is close and K_ channel begins to open. Na+ movement into
cell stops, K+ out of the cell increase causing repolarization
6. What happens to create an action potential? Action potentials are caused when different ions cross the
neuron membrane. Changes resting membrane potential by activating gated ion cannel. Action potential
continue until Na+ channels close, K+ channel opens and repolarization occur.
7. What is the function of the Na+/K+ pump? Help to maintain the uneven distribution of Na+ and K+.
8. Put the following steps in order - Stimulation of a Neuron…
6 Ca+ causes vesicles to release neurotransmitter.
9 K+ diffuses out of the cell
1 Stimulus activates neuron at the dendrite sensory receptors.
2 Stimulus changes permeability of neuron.
10 Na+/K+ pump restores resting position of ions.
3 Na+ diffuses into cell
5 Impulse reaches terminal, causing Ca+ to be released.
4 Action potential is created.
7 Neurotransmitter binds to receptors of next neuron.
8 Events and impulse continue to spread across the membrane.

Use the diagram to help with question #8.

Section G: Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals which carrier the impulse from one neuron to the next neuron. These chemicals allow the
transmission of signals across the synapse. Some neurotransmitters are excitatory or inhibitory. Here are a few examples of
common neurotransmitters.
 Acetylcholine – stimulates muscle contractions, causes glands to secrete hormones and plays a role in memory.
(Alzheimer’s disease is associated with a shortage of Ach.)
 GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) – an inhibitory neurotransmitter because it causes cells to be less excitable. (Low levels
of GABA cause anxiety disorders.)
 Serotonin – an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in mood and emotion. It brings about a sense of emotional well-being
and helps to regulate sleep. (Low levels lead to depression and trouble sleeping. – Interesting fact: Warm milk before
bedtime increases the levels of serotonin.)
 Dopamine – controls mood and motivation. Drives our internal feelings of reward and pleasure. It has an important
role in learning. (Drugs such as cocaine and alcohol increase the levels of
 dopamine. Schizophrenia is associated with increased levels of dopamine. Parkinson’s disease is
associated with decreased levels of dopamine.)
 Norepinephrine – is released to stimulate our sympathetic nervous system and put our body into
‘high alert’. It’s important in forming memories. (Exercise increases the release of norepinephrine
and stress decreases it.)
 Glutamate – an excitatory neurotransmitter which plays a role in memory. (Excessive amounts of
glutamate due to a stroke or brain damage will kill neurons. ALS results from excessive glutamate
production.)
 Endorphins – an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in pain reduction and pleasure.
http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/genpsyneurotransmitters.html

Section H: Reaction Time Lab

Reaction time is a measure of how quickly you can respond to a given stimulus. It is more complex than a
reflex. It requires information to be sent to the brain to be interpreted and back to cause an action.

Materials: Reaction Time Card with fractions of seconds printed on it. The numbers on the edge of the card
are fractions of a second as the card falls from bottom to top.

Procedure:
SIGHT:
1. Have your partner hold the card at the top.
2. Place your thumb and forefinger just below either side of the bottom of the card. Use the same hand
every trial.
3. Watch the card. When your partner drops it, catch it as fast as you can.
4. Record the reaction time. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for a total of 5 trials.

SOUND:
1. Follow the same procedure as above, but close your eyes. Your partner will say “go” when he/she drops
the card. Catch the card as fast as you can.

TOUCH:
1. Follow the same procedure as above, but close your eyes. Your partner will tap your shoulder as he/she
drops the card. Catch the card as fast as you can.
Reaction
Time
(Seconds)
Trial sight sound touch
1
2
3
4
5
Average

Conclusions:
 Describe the path of a stimulus from sensory receptor to motor neuron. How can the differing paths for
each stimulus account for the difference in reaction time?
Section I: CNS - Cerebrum
1. Label the 4 parts of the brain.
a. Diencephalon
b. Cerebrum
c. Brain Stem
d. Cerebellum

2. What are the elevated ridges of tissue on the cerebrum called?

3. The ridges are separated by shallow grooves called Sulci .
4. What are the deeper grooves called? Fissures
5. What fissure separates the cerebrum into left and right hemispheres? Longitudinal fissure
6. What fissure separates the frontal and the parietal lobes? Central fissure
7. What fissure separates the frontal and the temporal lobe?
8. What is the bundle of myelinated fibers that allow the left and right cerebral hemisphere to
communicate? Corpus Callosum
9. Label the lobes of the cerebrum.
a. Frontal Lobe
b. Temporal Lobe
c. Parietal Lobe
d. Occipital Lobe

Speech, memory, logical and emotional response,

consciousness, interpretation of sensation and
voluntary movement are all functions of the cerebrum.
Identify which lobe controls the following activities:

10. Primary motor area that allows us to consciously move our skeletal muscles. Parietal Lobe
11. Somatic sensory area - recognize pain, temperature or touch from the skin. Parietal Lobe
12. Primary visual area. Occipital Lobe
13. Primary auditory area. Temporal Lobe
14. Primary olfactory area Temporal Lobe
15. Ability to speak – Broca’s area. Frontal Lobe
16. Higher intellectual reasoning. Frontal Lobe

Did you know? The right primary motor area controls the left side of the body and the left primary motor areas control
the right side of the body. The right somatic sensory area receives input from the left side of the body and the left
somatic sensory area receives input from the right side of the body.

17. Cerebral Cortex

a. What is the outermost cerebral cortex consists of? Unmyelinated (gray matter)
b. What is the function of the cerebral cortex? speech, memory, logic, emotion, consciousness, sensation
interpretation, & voluntary movement
c. Describe what the fibers in this area. Corticopontine fibers
18. Cerebral Medulla
a. What is the innermost cerebral medulla consists of? both myelinated (white matter) and unmyelinated (gray
matter) nerve fibers
b. What is the function of the cerebral medulla? Helps regulate breathing, heart and blood vessel function,
digestion, sneezing, and swallowing.
c. Describe the fibers in this area.
19. What is the function of basal nuclei? Primarily for motor control, as well as other roles such as motor learning,
executive functions and behaviors, and emotions.
Section J: Broca’s & Wernicke’s Area
Identifying the parts of the brain that are involved in language began
in 1861, when Paul Broca, a French neurosurgeon, examined the
brain of a recently deceased patient who had had an unusual
disorder. Though he had been able to understand spoken language
and did not have any motor impairments of the mouth or tongue that
might have affected his ability to speak, he could neither speak a
complete sentence nor express his thoughts in writing. When Broca
autopsied the brain, he found a sizable lesion in the left inferior
frontal cortex. Subsequently, this led to the identification of a
“language centre” in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe of the
left hemisphere - now known as Broca’s area.
Ten years later, Carl Wernicke, a German neurologist, discovered another part, this one involved in
understanding language, in the posterior portion of the left temporal lobe. People who had a lesion at this
location could speak, but their speech was often incoherent and made no sense. Neuroscientists now agree
that running around the lateral sulcus in the left hemisphere of the brain, there is a sort of neural loop that is
involved both in understanding and in producing spoken language. At the frontal end of this loop lies Broca's
area, which is usually associated with the production of language. At the other end, lies Wernicke's area,
which is associated with the processing of words that we hear being spoken. Broca's area and Wernicke's
area are connected by a large bundle of nerve fibers called the arcuate fasciculus.
1. What’s the function of the Broca’s area? Speech production, language processing, and language comprehension
2. What’s the function of the Wernicke’s area? Responsible for the human understanding of speech and language.
3. In which hemisphere do you find these areas? left hemisphere
4. Do the lobes work independently of each other? Explain your answer.

Section K: Stroop Effect Lab (adapted from http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/words.html)

Psychologist John Stroop studied the processing of words and how these thought processes affected other
mental tasks. He found that the brain must override an automatic response when it receives conflicting
information or inference. This is called the Stroop Effect. In this lab, you will complete a task that
demonstrates the Stroop Effect.

Procedure: Words in their own color

1. Use the cards that have the words in their own color. Correct (c) or
2. Have a partner time and record how long it takes for you to Time (sec) Incorrect (i)
say the color of the word. Give your response as quickly
as possible. Record your data. Repeat this step.
3. Use the cards that have the words in different colors.
4. Have a partner time and record how long it takes for you to
say the color of the word. Give your response as quickly
as possible. Record your data. Repeat this step. Total incorrect responses:
Words in a different color
Why? Correct (c) or
The words themselves have a strong influence over your ability Time (sec) Incorrect (i)
to say the color. The interference between the different
information causes a problem. There are two theories that may
explain the Stroop effect:
Speed of Processing Theory: the interference occurs because
words are read faster than colors are named.
Selective Attention Theory: the interference occurs because Total incorrect responses:
naming colors requires more attention than reading words.
Section L: CNS – Diencephalon, Cerebellum & Brainstem
Diencephalon -- Identify the parts of the diencephalon based on description.
1. Maintains homeostasis. Control centers for regulating hunger, sleep, thirst, body temperature,
water balance and blood pressure. Control pituitary gland. Hypothalamus
2. Central relay station for sensory impulses traveling from everywhere else to the cerebrum. Receives all
sensory impulses except smell and sends them to correct region of the cerebral cortex to be interpreted.
Thalamus
3. Contains the pineal gland which secretes the hormone melatonin – which regulates daily rhythms (sleep
patterns). Epithalamus
4. Reflex centers for olfaction. mammillary bodies
5. System of pathways connects frontal lobes, temporal lobes, thalamus and hypothalamus – involved in
emotions and memory.
6. Responsible for feelings of anger, fear, sorry, pleasure, affection and sexual interest.

7. Parts of the limbic system involved in learning and memory – links emotion to stored memories.
Amygdala
8. Knot of capillaries that form the cerebrospinal fluid. Choroid plexus

Cerebellum & Brainstem – Identify the parts of the brainstem and cerebellum based on description.
9. Part of Brainstem: Centers for regulating heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure. Reflex centers for
vomiting, coughing, sneezing and swallowing. Ascending and descending tracts between higher
brain centers and spinal cord. Medulla Oblongata
10. Part of Brainstem: Relay station for tracts that run between cerebrum, spinal cord and cerebellum.
Reflex centers for visual, auditory and tactile responses. Midbrain
11. Coordinates muscles – integrates impulses from higher centers to produce smooth and graceful motion.
Maintains normal muscle tone and posture. Receives information about body position in inner ear and
sends impulses to muscles to maintain or restore balance.
12. Part of Brainstem: Contains tracts between cerebellum and rest of CNS. Coordinates with medulla to
regulate breathing. Reflex centers for head movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli.
Pons
13. System of loosely clustered neurons extending through brainstem. Functions to arouse brain – receives
sensory inputs from all ascending sensory tracts and sends impulses to cerebral cortex through thalamic
relays. Maintains cortex in alert conscious state – enhances excitability.

Section M: 3-D Brain Anatomy & Dissection

1. Click on ‘3-D Brain Anatomy’ and fill in the chart.
Function Structure or Lobe
Sight
Long-term memory
Short-term memory
Brain’s relay station
Cycling sex hormones
Speech perception
Emotions
Balance and coordination
Connect the right and left hemisphere
Breathing and heartbeat
Hearing
Reasoning
Touch and sensation

2. Click on ‘Brain Dissection’ and go through the tutorial.

Section N: PNS – Spinal Cord
1. The spinal cord provides a two way conduction pathway to and from the brain. What is the other
function?
2. Ascending tracts take nerve impulses up to the brain.
3. Descending tracts take nerve impulses down and out to effectors.
4. What tracts are found in the gray matter of the spinal cord?

5. What is the function of the gray matter in the spinal cord?

6. Where is the gray matter in the spinal cord?

7. What tracts are found in the white matter of the spinal cord?

8. What is the function of the white matter in the spinal cord?

9. Where is the white matter in the spinal cord?

10. Where is the CSF located?
11. Which neurons are found in the dorsal root?
12. What is a dorsal root ganglion?
13. Which neurons are found in the ventral root?
14. What happens to the body if the dorsal root or ganglion is damaged?

15. What happens to the body if the ventral root or ganglion is damaged?

16. What type of fiber tracts are found in a spinal nerve or mixed nerve?

17. Label the parts of the spinal cord using these terms --- dorsal root, ventral root, dorsal horn, ventral
horn, spinal nerve, dorsal root ganglion

1. Dorsal Horn
2. Ventral Horn
3. Dorsal Root
4. Dorsal Root Ganglion
5. Ventral Root
6. Spinal Nerve

Section O: Protection of CNS

1. The meninges are a connective tissue membranes composed of three layers. Identify the layer.
a. Tough double-layered membrane is attached to the skull and forms the outermost covering of
the brain and spinal cord. Forms channels called dural sinuses that collect and return venous
blood to circulation. Dura Mater
b. The middle layer has threadlike extension spanning the
space to attach it the innermost membrane. The space
is filled with CSF. Arachnoid Mater
c. The innermost layer clings tightly to the surface of the
brain and spinal cord following every fold.
Pia Mater
d. Label the meninges in the spinal cord.
# 3. Pia Matter
# 4. Arachnoid
# 5. Dura Mater

2. What is the cerebrospinal fluid and what are the components of ‘this fluid’? Clear, watery fluid that surrounds
the brain and the spinal cord.

3. What forms the cerebrospinal fluid?

4. What is the function of the CSF? Act as a shock absorber thereby cushioning the brain.

5. CSF circulates through ventricles, into the central canal of

spinal cord, into the subarachnoid spaces and returns to
veins of the brain where it drains into the dural sinuses and
returns to the blood. If the production and drainage is
blocked, what happens?

6. If the composition of the CSF changes, what could this

indicate?

7. What is the blood-brain barrier?

this is a barrier between the brain’s blood vessels (capillaries) and the cells and
other components that make up brain tissue. It to help maintain relatively
constant levels of hormones, nutrients and water in the brain

8. What can pass easily through the walls of the capillaries?

9. What is prevented to pass through the walls of the capillaries?

Section P: PNS - Nerves

1. What is a nerve? cable-like structure within the body designed to conduct nerve impulses that relay
information from one part of the body to another

2. This figure shows the anatomy of a nerve.

a. What does #3 represent?

b. What does #2 represent?

c. What does #6 represent?

3. How many pairs of cranial nerves are found in

the body? 12
4. How many pairs of spinal nerves are found in
the body? 31
5. Label the diagram. Use the wordbank – CNS, PNS, spinal cord, brain, cranial nerves, spinal nerves

a. PNS
b. Cranial Nerves
c. Spinal Nerves
d. CNS
e. Brain
f. Spinal Cord