SMT.SULOCHANADEVI SINGHANIA SCHOOL, THANE.

STD-10

Notes on Nervous System

Major functions performed by nervous system
1. Keep us informed about the outside word
2. Enables us to remember, think and reason out
3. Controls and harmonises all voluntary muscular activities
4. Regulates involuntary activities such as beating of heart, breathing etc.
Three main parts of a neuron:
1. Cell body/ Cyton/Perikaryon
2. Dendrites
3. Axon
1. Cell body contains a well-defined
nucleus surrounded by granular
cytoplasm containing all the cell
organelles except centrosome.
2. Dendrites are branched cytoplasmic
projections of the cell body.
3. Axon is a long process from the cell
body surrounded by white insulating
sheet called myelin sheath which is
covered by outermost thin sheath called
neurilemma
The gaps in myelin sheet throughout the length of Axon is called Node of
Ranvier
The end portions of the Axons have swollen ends like bulbs which stores
certain chemicals called neurotransmitters like Acetylcholine

Nervous System Std 10 Notes 1

Axon terminals are closely placed near the dendrites of another one or more
neurons but are not connected. Such gaps in between are called synaptic cleft.

Transmission of the nerve impulse: -

- Under normal state the nerve cell is POLARISED
- On stimulation a part of the axon loses the polarised state and gets
DEPOLARISED.
- Depolarised area becomes stimulus for the neighbouring area, which
then gets depolarised
- Previous area becomes REPOLARISED
Synapse: A point of contact between the terminal endings of one neuron and
dendrites of another neuron separated by a fine gap.
Conduction of impulse from one neuron to another
• When the nerve impulse reaches the terminal end of an axon a
neurotransmitter Acetylcholine is released.
• This chemical set a new impulse in the dendrites of the adjacent neuron.
• The chemical is soon broken down by an enzyme so that the synapse is
ready for the next transmission

Two major divisions of nervous system

1. Central nervous system (CNS)- includes brain protected in the skull and
spinal cord protected within the vertebral column
2. Peripheral nervous system (PNS)- includes the nerves that emerge from and
enter into the brain and spinal cord.
The Central Nervous System
Brain: The brain is very delicate organ well protected inside the brain box
called cranium.
Brain is protected by three membranous coverings called meninges

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Dura mater- the outermost tough fibrous membrane
Arachnoid- Thin delicate middle layer giving a web like cushion
Pia mater-The inner most highly vascular membrane richly supplied with
blood.
Meningitis is the inflammation of meninges
The space between the covering membranes is filled with a watery fluid called
cerebrospinal fluid.
Cerebrum: The largest portion of the brain
It is divided into two halves- cerebral hemispheres
Outer surface of cerebrum is highly convoluted with ridges or folds (Gyri) and
grooves (Sulci).
The cerebral hemispheres are hollow internally and the walls of cerebrum have
two regions the outer cortex and inner medulla.
The outer portion of cerebrum contains cell bodies of neurons and is called
gray matter.
The inner portion of cerebrum contains axons (nerve fibres) of neurons and is
called white matter.
Corpus callosum- sheet of fibres connecting two cerebral hemispheres.
Function: To transfer impulses from one cerebral hemisphere to another..
Functions of cerebrum:
-It enables us to think, reason out, invent, plan and memorize
-Intelligence
-Consciousness
-Will power
-Controls all voluntary actions.
Cerebellum it is comparatively smaller area of brain located at the base and
under the cerebrum

Nervous System Std 10 Notes 3

It has no convolutions and has numerous furrows
Outer portion is cortex and is made of Gray matter. Centrally it has white
matter which appears like a branching tree.

Functions of Cerebellum:
-Muscular coordination
-Body balance
PONS: It is located in the centre of brain below the cerebellum
Functions:
-Carries impulses from one hemisphere of cerebellum to another.
-Coordinates muscular movements on both sides of the body.
Medulla oblongata: The lowest portion of the brain.
Located at the base of the skull. It is continued behind as spinal cord.
Functions of Medulla oblongata: Controls the activity of internal organs like
breathing, heart beat etc.
Spinal cord: The white matter is on the outer side which contains axons. The
gray matter is on the inner side consisting of cell bodies.
Externally spinal cord is also covered with three membranes: Dura mater,
Arachnoid and Pia mater.
A small Central Canal is in the centre which runs the entire length and is
continuous with the cavities of the brain. It is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
Functions of Spinal Cord:
-Controls reflexes below the neck
-Conducts messages from skin and muscles to the brain
-Conduct commands from brain to muscles of trunk and limbs

Nervous System Std 10 Notes 4

Functions of cerebrospinal fluid
1. It acts like a cushion to protect the brain from shocks.
2. It forms a medium for the exchange of food materials, waste products and
respiratory gases with neurons.

The Peripheral Nervous System includes the nerves which carry impulses to
and from the central nervous system. It is divided into:

1.Somatic nervous system

2. Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system: This consists of two sets of nerves:
1. Cranial nerves
2. Spinal nerves
Cranial nerves Spinal nerves
1. Emerge from the brain 1. Emerge from the spinal cord
2. 12 pairs 2. 31 pairs
3. Can be sensory nerves, motor E.g. Every spinal nerve is a mixed
nerves or mixed nerves nerve
E.g. Optic nerve, auditory nerve,
olfactory nerve

Autonomic Nervous System:

Autonomic nervous system consists of a pair of chain of nerves and ganglia on
either side of the backbone.
This system controls the involuntary actions of the internal organs.
It consists of two parts:
1. Sympathetic: Nerves arise from the Thorax and waist region

Nervous System Std 10 Notes 5

 It prepares the body for violent action against abnormal conditions.
It is stimulated by hormone Adrenaline.
2. Parasympathetic: Nerves arise from head, neck and sacral region.
It re-establishes normal conditions after the violent act is over.
Autonomic nervous system is strongly influenced by emotions like grief, anger,
fear etc.

Voluntary actions: Are performed under the control of our will.

Involuntary actions: Are performed not under the control of our will. They are
also called reflexes.
Reflexes are of two types:
1. Natural(inborn) reflex: In this reflex no previous experience or learning is
required
These reflexes are inborn i.e. inherited from the parents.
E.g. Knee-jerk, closing of eyelids when an object suddenly approaches the eyes,
withdrawal of hand when suddenly pricked, coughing reflex, sneezing reflex.
2. Conditioned(acquired) reflex: This reflex is developed during the lifetime
due to previous experience or learning.
E.g. Playing of a musical instrument, using keys of keyboard of a computer,
applying brakes in our vehicle.
Reflex Arc: The shortest pathway of nerve impulse from a receptor to an
effector.
Reflex Action: -The sudden, spontaneous, involuntary response to a stimulus.
-It does not involve the brain.
Stimulus: Any change in the external and internal environment that results in a
change in an organism or any of its body parts.

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Response: The change in an organism resulting due to stimulus.
Impulse: A wave of electrical disturbance that sweeps over the nerve cell.
Receptors: The specialised epithelial cells which, on receiving the stimulus, sets
up waves of impulses towards the central nervous system.
Effectors: Muscles or glands which, on receiving the impulse from the brain or
spinal cord, contract or secrete substances.

Nervous System Std 10 Notes 7