Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Nervous System
Directions: Circle the term in parentheses that correctly completes each sentence.
1.A stimulus is a change in an organism’s environment that causes a (thought/response).
2.Neuron is another name for a (new cell/nerve cell).
3.The three kinds of neurons are sensory neurons, motor neurons, and
(interneurons/axons).
4.The place where two neurons communicate is called a (synapse/cell body).
5.Signals are transmitted from a neuron’s (axon/dendrites).
6.Signals are received by a neuron’s (axon/dendrites).
7.The central nervous system consists of the brain and (sensory system/spinal cord).
8.Thought processes are carried out in the (cerebrum/cerebellum).
9.The peripheral nervous system consists of the somatic and (central/autonomic) systems.
10.The most common cause of damage to the nervous system is (diseases/injuries).
11.The severing of connections between the central nervous system and the peripheral
nervous system causes (loss of balance/paralysis).
12.Yanking your hand away from a hot stove is an example of a (reflex/stimulus).
13.Reflexes are fast because the information usually does not have to go through the
(brain/spinal cord).
14.Stimulants and depressants have (opposite/similar) effects on the nervous system.
Control and Coordination13
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Nervous System
Key Concept How do the parts of the nervous system work together?
Directions: Use the diagram to complete each item below.
1.A nerve cell has three parts—the , the
, and the .
2.The connection between two nerve cells is a tiny gap called a(n)
.
Directions: Circle the term in parentheses that correctly completes each sentence.
3.The basic functioning units of the nervous system are called nerve cells,
or (impulses/neurons).
4.There are three kinds of these cells: (sensory/peripheral),
(motor/chemical), and (intra–/inter–).
5.A nerve cell sends a signal across that gap to another nerve cell by releasing certain
(axons/chemicals).
18Control and Coordination
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Nervous System
Key Concept How do the parts of the nervous system work together?
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Some terms
might be used more than once or not at all.
1.contains many folds
2.helps you keep your balance
3.a tubelike structure
4.the center of thinking
5.controls a sneeze
6.allows for repetitive motions
7.keeps your heart beating
8.an information highway
9.processes touch and visual information
A.spinal cord
B.cerebrum
C.cerebellum
D.brain stem
Directions: Answer each question using the space provided.
10.The nervous system consists of the central nervous system and another system. What is
that other system?
11.What are the two parts of this other system, and what do they do?
Control and Coordination19