Class Summary - Today we discussed the purpose of the nervous system. We talked about the functions of the nervous system being, sensory input, integration and motor output. We discussed that there are two divisions of the nervous system; the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. We focused today on the central nervous system. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. We watched a short 4 minute video clip introducing the nervous system. Today we discussed the CNS in regards of the meninges, cerebrospinal fluid and the spinal cord. The CNS is composed of both gray and white matter. We discussed the differences between the two (white matter has the myelinated sheath making it shiny white). We talked about the meninges. There are three layers of meninges; the dura mater, the arachnoid mater and the pia mater. We also discussed cerebrospinal fluid. Both the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid protect the brain and spinal cord. We then talked about the structure and function of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is protected by the same meninges as the brain and has white matter on the outside surrounding a gray matter H.
Homework - None
Objectives - Students will describe the three functions of the nervous system. Students will explain how a nerve impulse is conducted along a nerve and across a synapse. Students will describe in detail the structure of the spinal cord, and state its functions. Students will describe the three layers of meninges and state the function of the meninges. Students will describe the location and function of the cerebrospinal fluid.