The Nervous System

 

Level 1 – Easy Read

What Is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is your body's communication network.

It sends messages between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body.

These messages help you:

• Think

• Feel

• Learn

• Move

• Breathe

• See

• Hear

• Stay alive

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The Three Main Jobs

1. Sensory Input

Your senses collect information.

For example:

• Seeing a rainbow

• Hearing music

• Smelling food

• Feeling something hot

• Tasting ice cream

Your body sends this information to the brain.

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2. Integration

The brain and spinal cord receive the information.

They decide what it means and what should happen next.

For example:

You touch a hot pan.

Your brain recognises it is hot.

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3. Motor Output

Your body responds.

For example:

• Pulling your hand away

• Walking

• Smiling

• Talking

• Picking up a cup

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The Central Nervous System (CNS)

The Central Nervous System is made up of:

🧠 The Brain

The brain:

• Thinks

• Learns

• Remembers

• Controls emotions

• Solves problems

• Sends messages to the body

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🦴 The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord:

• Carries messages between the brain and body.

• Helps control some reflexes, such as quickly pulling your hand away from something hot.

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The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The Peripheral Nervous System includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

These nerves carry messages:

➡️ To the brain

⬅️ From the brain

They connect your brain with:

• Muscles

• Skin

• Eyes

• Ears

• Internal organs

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Two Parts of the Peripheral Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System

This controls actions you choose to do.

Examples:

• Walking

• Writing

• Speaking

• Throwing a ball

These are called voluntary movements.

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Autonomic Nervous System

This controls actions your body does automatically.

You do not have to think about them.

Examples include:

• Heartbeat ❤️

• Breathing 🌬️

• Digestion 🍎

• Sweating 💧

These are called involuntary functions.

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The Two Parts of the Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System

This prepares your body for action.

It is sometimes called the fight-or-flight response.

It can:

• Increase your heart rate.

• Make you breathe faster.

• Give you more energy.

• Help you react quickly.

Example:

You suddenly hear a loud noise and jump.

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Parasympathetic Nervous System

This helps your body relax.

It is often called the rest-and-digest system.

It helps:

• Slow your heart rate.

• Relax your muscles.

• Support digestion.

• Restore energy.

Example:

You feel calm after eating and resting.

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Neurons

Neurons are special nerve cells.

They send electrical and chemical messages around the body.

They help you:

• Think

• Learn

• Feel

• Move

• Remember

There are billions of neurons in the human nervous system.

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Glial Cells

Glial cells support neurons.

They:

• Protect nerve cells.

• Provide nutrients.

• Help keep neurons healthy.

• Support communication between nerve cells.

They are just as important as neurons for keeping the nervous system working properly.

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Everyday Example

You touch a hot saucepan.

1. Your skin detects the heat.

2. Nerves send a message to your spinal cord.

3. Your hand quickly pulls away.

4. Your brain becomes aware that the pan is hot.

This fast response helps protect your body from injury.

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Remember

✔ The nervous system is your body's communication network.

✔ The brain and spinal cord make up the Central Nervous System (CNS).

✔ The nerves throughout the rest of your body make up the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

✔ The sympathetic system prepares you for action.

✔ The parasympathetic system helps you rest and recover.

✔ Neurons send messages, and glial cells support and protect them.