Nervous System Learning Bits
Written by: Patrick McGurrin

show/hide words to know

Axon: a long thick projection in nerve cells that sends electrical signals out away from the cell body......more

Cell: a tiny building block that contains all the information necessary for the survival of any plant or animal. It is also the smallest unit of life... more

Central nervous system (CNS): a part of the nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord.

Dendrites: long thin projections in nerve cells which receive electrical signals... more

Neuron: a special cell which is part of the nervous system. Neurons work together with other cells to pass chemical and electrical signals throughout the body... more

Nutrient: a vitamin, mineral, or chemical in food that the body uses to grow, repair, or do work... more

Peripheral nervous system (PNS): a part of the nervous system which includes all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Flashcard facts and information about the nervous system

Biology Bits stories are a great way for you to learn about biology a little bit at a time. We’ve broken down information into pieces that are very tiny—bite-sized biology cards. Cutting out the cards will let you organize them however you want, or use them as flashcards while you read.

This set of bits will teach you about the system that senses the world around you and controls your body: your nervous system. To learn more about the science behind your nerves, visit A Nervous Journey.

Play the slide show from the beginning or pick a slide to begin with by clicking on a slide below.

Illustration of the human body with the general nervous system labeled.Illustration of neuron anatomyIllustration of a young boy wiggling his right big toe.Illustration of impulses being sent from the skin to the brain and from the brain to the muscles.Illustration of a human body, pointing out the brain and spinal cord.Illustration of the peripheral nervous system.Illustration showing what each part of the brain is responsible for.Illustration of the inner (or middle) brain.Illustration showing brainstem anatomy.Illustration showing the two sides of the human brain.Illustration of different glial cell typesAn illustration of a brain lit up, as you would see on a screen during an fMRI.Illustration of a talking human head

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You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Nervous Bits
  • Author(s): Patrick McGurrin
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: September 11, 2014
  • Date accessed: March 6, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/nervous-bits

APA Style

Patrick McGurrin. (2014, September 11). Nervous Bits. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 6, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/nervous-bits

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Patrick McGurrin. "Nervous Bits". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 11 September, 2014. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/nervous-bits

MLA 2017 Style

Patrick McGurrin. "Nervous Bits". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 11 Sep 2014. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 6 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/biology-bits/nervous-bits

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
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