Module 1
1. Module 1
1.2. In this Module
Module 1—The Nervous System
In This Module
Inquiry Question: How does the nervous system communicate with the body and maintain homeostasis?
There are eight lessons in Module 1.
Most of the lessons are designed to take you 80 minutes to complete; however, some lessons may take longer because of the significance of the concept being covered in the lesson. The suggested lesson times do not include the time needed to complete such activities as “Try This,” “Watch and Listen,” assignments, practice questions, review, or research.
This module corresponds to Chapters 11 and 12, pages 360 to 433, in your textbook. Lessons 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 correspond to Chapter 11; and Lessons 4 to 6 correspond to Chapter 12. Before you begin your study of Lessons 1 to 3, you may wish to read Chapter 11 for an overview. As you begin each lesson, you may wish to read the relevant chapter in the textbook for an overview before you begin.
Lesson 1: Structure and Organization of the Nervous System
Studying the structure and organization of the nervous system helps you understand how some responses can be controlled, whereas others just seem to happen.
In this lesson you will investigate the following focusing questions:
- How is the nervous system organized, and how do its parts communicate with each other?
- What interrupts the normal communication mechanisms of the sympathetic and parasympathetic parts of the nervous system?
Lesson 2: The Brain and Spinal Cord—the Boss and Unthinking Boss
The brain is the control centre for your body, just like the nucleus controls cell function. If the spinal cord is damaged, your brain can’t communicate successfully with your body.
In this lesson you will investigate the following focusing questions:
- What are the main structures of the brain and spinal cord, what are their functions, and how do they co-ordinate those functions?
- What happens when the information to or from the brain or spinal cord is disrupted or interrupted?
Lesson 3: The Neuron and the Reflex Arc
The neuron is the basic building block of the nervous system. Examination of the reflex arc illustrates the types of neurons and their role in communication.
This lesson helps you to understand the following focusing questions:
- What are the structures and functions of the neuron, and how do they support communication?
- What are the components of a reflex arc?
Lesson 4: Sensory Perception—Taste, Smell, Touch, and Temperature Sensations
Sensory perception helps you establish homeostasis but involves senses that are not considered to be as significant as vision and hearing. In this lesson you will examine the senses of taste, smell, touch, and temperature.
The following focusing question will be addressed:
- What information about the environment do the sensations of touch, smell, and taste communicate to the nervous system in order to maintain homeostasis?
Lesson 5: Photoreception—the Eye
Vision is the dominant sense. The structures of the eye facilitate vision (photoreception).
The following focusing question will help you to understand the concept of photoreception:
- What are the major parts of the eye, how do they function, and how do they communicate with the nervous system to support the integrated act of seeing?
Lesson 6: Mechanoreception—the Ear
It is said that the second most important sense is mechanoreception. The ear is the organ that accommodates both hearing and balance.
Understanding the following focusing questions will help you to learn about mechanoreception.
- What are the structures of the ear, and what are their functions in communicating sound?
- How does the ear impact your ability to maintain balance within your changing environment?
Lesson 7: The Nerve Impulse—Transporting the Message
In this lesson you will explore the path of a nerve impulse as it is communicated through the structures of the neuron. You will also examine what happens when communication is interrupted by disorders like multiple sclerosis.
You will investigate the following focusing question in this lesson.
- How does the structure of a neuron facilitate the reception and transmission of a nerve impulse to the synaptic gap?
Lesson 8: Synaptic and Neuromuscular Transmission—Crossing the Divide
Neurons are physically separated from each other by tiny gaps. The nerve impulse must be transmitted across these gaps by chemicals called neurotransmitters. Substances can alter events at the synaptic gap. Coffee can excite, whereas alcohol can inhibit, synaptic gap transmission.
To understand the concept of synaptic transmission, you will investigate the following focusing questions:
- How do the anatomy and function of the synaptic gap and neuromuscular junction facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons and between neurons and effectors?
- How do chemicals that are taken into your body and disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, compromise synaptic transmission?