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Title / Explain the human nervous system for beauty services
Level / 5 / Credits / 4
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to, in relation to beauty services applications, explain: the location and physiology of the cells and tissues of the nervous system, the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system.
Classification / Beauty Services > Beauty Therapy
Available grade / Achieved
Guidance Information
1As the content of this unit standard is largely informational, performance criteria assume that knowledge will be acquired from reference texts, models, and other information-bearing media. No one textbook or other source of information is envisaged, as new approaches to the study of anatomy and physiology are published regularly.
2All demonstrations of knowledge for assessment in this unit standard must be evidenced with relation to the application to and use in the beauty services industry.
3For the purposes of this unit standard, explain and explanation are to be interpreted to include any form of visual and/or other aid, such as diagram, gesture, or model, that is used in addition to or in place of a verbal explanation.
4In this unit standard, all ranges identify the minimum that is critical for assessment. A wider scope may nevertheless be taught.
5The focus of this unit standard is the anatomy and physiology of human systems that are healthy and functioning properly. Diseases and disorders are included only where appropriate to the professional competence of a beauty practitioner.
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Explain the location and physiology of the cells and tissues of the nervous system.
Performance criteria
1.1Explanation describes the location of neurons and neuroglia.
Rangecell body, axons, dendrites, myelin sheath, neuroglia.
1.2Explanation describes the physiology of neurons.
Rangesensory, motor.
1.3Explanation describes the transmission of a nerve impulse according to the role of sensory nerve endings, motor end plates, and neurotransmitters.
Rangeirritability, electrical and chemical response, conductivity.
Outcome 2
Explain the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Performance criteria
2.1Explanation describes the components of the central and peripheral nervous systems according to anatomy and location.
Rangebrain, spinal cord, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid.
2.2Explanation describes the anatomy of the brain.
Rangecerebrum – hemispheres, lobes, cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus;
brain stem – midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata;
cerebellum.
2.3Explanation describes the spinal cord according to anatomy and physiology.
Rangespinal cord – coverings, central canal, internal anatomy including grey and white matter.
2.4Explanation describes sensory and motor nerve tracts and reflex arcs according to pathways, anatomy involved, and impulses conveyed.
2.5Explanation describes peripheral nerves according to the level at which they emerge from the brain or spinal cord, and the area of the body they supply.
Rangecranial, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal.
Outcome 3
Explain the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system.
Performance criteria
3.1Explanation describes the physiology of the sympathetic nervous system according to effects on body processes.
3.2Explanation describes the physiology of the parasympathetic nervous system according to effects on body processes.
3.3Explanation describes the control of the autonomic nervous system according to the role of the hypothalamus in response to internal and external events.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 21 February 1995 / 31 December 2020
Review / 2 / 30 September 1998 / 31 December 2020
Review / 3 / 27 June 2003 / 31 December 2020
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 16 October 2009 / 31 December 2020
Review / 5 / 31 May 2018 / 31 December 2020
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0035
This CMR can be accessed at
NZ Hair and Beauty Industry Training Organisation IncSSB Code 101681 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018