The nervous system of an animal coordinates the activity of the muscles, monitors the organs, constructs and processes input from the senses, and initiates actions. (see Central Nervous System).
In animals without brains, the nervous system does not generate or conduct thoughts and emotions. Thus it is the system that animates "animals" (sponges are an exception). Chemicals that target the activity of nerves generally are the most rapidly acting toxins, typically causing paralysis and/or death.
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreat Stuff on Amazon
Aids to the Examination of the Peripheral Nervous System (Neurology)
Amazon Price: $30.55 (as of 10/13/2008)
Development of the Nervous System, Second Edition
Amazon Price: $67.16 (as of 10/13/2008)
Nervous System, Part 1: Anatomy and Physiology (Ciba Collection of Medical Illustrations, Volume 1)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/13/2008)
Links
- Neuroscience for Kids
- Intended for elementary and secondary school students and teachers who are interested in learning more about the nervous system and brain. Hands on activities, experiments, information for all grade levels.
- Superman
- An overview of spinal cord technology, like the kind helping Christopher Reeves.
- The Memory Exhibition
- An Exploratorium exhibition exploring the biological, psychological, and cultural aspects of memory. Includes an interactive sheep brain dissection and news articles.
- Secrets of the Mind
- From NOVA, an overview of the studies of neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran to discover how the brain works. Includes games, personal stories, and interactive experiments.
- Changing Your Mind
- From the PBS show, Scientific American Frontiers, users can learn of new evidence of the brains' ability to grow and change. Includes a look at dreams, the sense of touch, and a scientist profile.
- The Secret Life of the Brain
- PBS show, offering a history of the brain, anatomy, illusions, brain scanning, and development from child through adult.
- The Biological Neuron
- Illustrated introduction to neural networks, including nerve signal transmission, neuron anatomy, and networks. Some of the last pages are advanced, but the first few offer basic neuron information.
- Neuron Anatomy Printout
- From EnchantedLearning.com, a black-and-white neuron printout.
- Brain: The World Inside Your Head
- Virtual tour of traveling museum exhibit, free health information, brain games, and teachers' activity guide and lesson plans. Includes brain development, diseases including Alzheimer's, depression, and migraines.
- The Nervous System
- An overview of nerve systems, impulse transmission, neurotransmitters, the brain, and the rest of the nervous system.
- Physiology of a Nerve Impulse
- Diagrams and simple explanations for the action potential.
- Domino Model of a Nerve
- Questions relating a chain of dominoes to nerve impulse, rate of impulse, and nervous system function.
- Nerve Impulse Animation
- Interactive Flash animation showing the different stages in the propagation of a nerve impulse.
- The Nerve Impulse Matching Exercise
- Matching exercise with pull-down menus and feedback.
- Probe the Brain
- An interactive simulation of how the motor cortex was mapped by scientists.
- Homunculus
- An animation showing the homunculus, or "little man," representation of the somatosensory cortex.
- Brain Explorer
- An animated look at the brain, nerve transmission, and brain disorders.
- Brainstorm
- ThinkQuest site looking at the anatomy and function of the nervous system. Includes sections on the neuron, nerve messaging, human senses, and disorders of the nervous system.
