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Nervous System Facts & Worksheets

The nervous system connects all your body parts and transmits signals from one part to another.

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The nervous system functions as our bodies’ command center, and the brain controls it and directs our movements, thinking, and instinctual responses to our surroundings. Other physiological functions and behaviors regulate digestion, breathing, and sexual maturity (puberty). Infections, accidents, chemicals, and natural aging may all impair our nervous system.

See the fact file below for more information on the Nervous System or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Nervous System worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Overview

  • The nervous system is the human body’s primary regulating, controlling, and communication system and the center of all mental functions, including thinking, learning, and remembering. The brain and endocrine systems are in charge of enforcing and maintaining homeostasis. The nervous system connects us to our external and internal environment through its sensors.
  • In every area of our health, our nervous system has its impact on it, including:
    • Thoughts, memories, learning, and emotions.
    • Balancing and coordination are two examples of movements.
    • Senses include our brain’s interpretation of what we see, hear, taste, touch, and feel.
    • Sleep, healing, and the aging process.
    • Respiratory and heartbeat patterns.
    • Reaction to challenging situations.
    • Puberty is an example of a bodily function.
  • This intricate structure serves as our body’s command center, manages our body’s processes, and allows us to interact with our surroundings.
  • All across our body, an extensive network of nerves transmits electrical messages to and from other cells, glands, and muscles. These nerves get information from our surroundings, which the nerves interpret and govern our reactions. It’s almost like a massive information highway is going through our bodies.

Anatomy

  • The nervous system has two parts. Each part has billions of neurons or nerve cells, and these distinct cells connect with your body via electrical impulses sent and received.
  • The Peripheral Nervous System and the Central Nervous System are the main parts of the nervous system, and the brain and spinal cord are the two most important CNS bodily components. Brain interacts with the rest of your body through nerves, and Myelin is a coat of protection that wraps around each nerve. 
  • The peripheral nervous system comprises nerves that branch out from the central nervous system and travel throughout your body. This system sends signals from your brain and spinal cord to your organs, arms, legs, fingers, and toes. The peripheral nervous system has two essential parts: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. 
  • The somatic nervous system guides your voluntary motions. At the same time, the autonomic nervous system governs behaviors that you do without thinking about them.
  • A neuron or the nerve cell is the fundamental unit of the neurological system. The human brain has around 100 billion neurons. A neuron has a cell body that contains the cell nucleus and unique extensions known as axons and dendrites. Neurons also connect across great distances because of axons and dendrites.

Function

  • The nervous system employs specialized cells known as neurons to convey impulses or messages throughout the body. These electrical signals flow from the brain to the skin, organs, glands, and muscles. The signs assist us in moving limbs and experiencing discomfort. The eyes, hearing, tongue, nose, and nerves gather information about our surroundings.
  • Distinct kinds of neurons in our nervous system govern and execute different functions. Motor neurons, for example, send information from the brain to the muscles to cause movement. Sensory neurons sense light, sound, odor, taste, pressure, and heat and communicate their findings to the brain.
  • Other nervous system elements regulate involuntary activities such as heart rate regulation, hormone releases such as adrenaline, pupil dilation in reaction to light, and digestive system regulation.
  • When one neuron transmits a message to another, it sends an electrical signal along its axon. The electrical signal transforms into a chemical signal at the axon’s end. The axon then sends the chemical signal into the synapse, which is the gap between the last of an axon and the tip of a dendrite of the new neuron, using chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.
  • The neurotransmitters carry the signal across the synapse to the adjoining dendrite is converted back into an electrical signal. The electrical impulses then pass through the neuron, and the same conversion steps as it travels to neighboring neurons.
  • Glia is a non-neuron cell found in the nervous system, and Glia is in charge of several important activities that keep the nervous system working smoothly. Glia, for example, supports and maintains neurons in place, covers neurons, and creates Myelin, which aids in the transit of nerve impulses, the healing and restoration of neurons, the trimming of dead neurons, and the management of neurotransmitters.

Conditions and Disorders Affecting the Nervous System

  • Hundreds of illnesses and ailments can affect the nervous system. A damaged nerve can cause numbness, pins-and-needles sensations, or discomfort. Moving to the wounded location may be difficult.
  • Nerve damage can influence the nervous system in a variety of ways. The most common causes of nerve injury are as follows:
    • Disease: Many illnesses, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, can disrupt the neurological system. Patients may experience diabetic neuropathy, which causes tingling and discomfort in the legs and feet. Multiple sclerosis is destroying the Myelin that surrounds neurons in our central nervous system. 
    • A stroke usually happens when one of the brain’s blood arteries becomes clogged or bursts unexpectedly. The brain region dies caused by a lack of blood, and it can’t send information through the nerves. A stroke can result in modest to severe nerve damage.
    • Accidental injury: In an accident, nerves might be smashed, stretched, or sliced. Usual events that can cause nerve injury anywhere in our bodies are car accidents.
    • Toxic substances: Chemotherapy medications, illicit narcotics, excessive drinking, and hazardous chemicals can produce peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, since people’s kidneys have difficulty filtering out toxins, people with the renal illness are more prone to developing nerve damage.
    • Aging process: Our neurons’ messages may not move as quickly as they used to as we age. Your reflexes may weaken, and you may feel weaker. Some patients lose sensation in their fingers, toes, or other body parts.

Ways to Take Care of Your Nervous System

  • Your nervous system is the command center for our whole body and requires special attention to function properly. The ideal option is to take an organic, natural approach to strengthen the neurological system and avoid disorders and diseases that impact it. Dietary habits and physical exercise are the most acceptable ways to care for our neurological system.
  • Diet: A well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet should help rejuvenate your nerves, reduce stress, and increase your functioning.
  • Foods that Improve Message Delivery:
    • Tryptophan – is a neurotransmitter amino acid present in dark chocolate.
    • Calcium – may be found in leafy greens, eggs, milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
    • Potassium – is also in charge of managing our nerve impulses. Bananas, oranges, raisins, and pomegranates contain this mineral.
    • Vitamins B1, B2, and B6 – are essential for ensuring that the right message sent to our bodies is at the right moment.
  • Foods that safeguard our nervous system: Foods that renew our nerves are just as crucial for upkeep. We must eat foods high in vitamin K, B12, minerals such as copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and coconut oil to safeguard our neurological system.

Nervous System Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Nervous System across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Nervous System worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the nervous system which connects all your body parts and transmits signals from one part to another. It is a system of cells, tissue, and organs that regulate the body’s responses to internal and external stimuli.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Nervous System Facts
  • Name My Parts
  • Break it Down
  • Don’t be Nervous!
  • Check Me
  • Letter Boxes
  • Thinking Maze
  • Neurologists
  • Fact or Bluff
  • Neurologic Diseases
  • Stephen Hawking
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Frequently Asked Questions 

What does the nervous system do?

The nervous system employs specialized cells known as neurons to convey impulses or messages throughout the body. The signals assist us in moving our limbs, using our senses to gather information about our surroundings.

What are the main parts of the nervous system?

The main features of the nervous system are the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

What are the two types of nerves in our nervous system?

The two types of nerves in our nervous system are the motor neurons which send information from the brain to the muscles to cause movement. And sensory neurons are vital for our sense of light, sound, odor, taste, pressure, and heat and communicate their findings to the brain. 

What is the essential part of the Central nervous system?

The most important part of the Central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord. 

What diseases affect the nervous system?

The diseases affecting the nervous system include many illnesses, cancer, and autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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