Activity 2D: Nervous System

Nervous tissue is the main component of the nervous system, responsible for
transmitting signals and coordinating the body’s functions.

📍Mammal Cerebellum

The cerebellum is a region of the brain located at the back of the skull, just above the
brainstem. It is primarily composed of gray matter on the surface and white matter in the
interior. The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, maintaining
posture and balance, and facilitating learning of motor skills.

📍Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest and uppermost part of the brain, occupying the majority of
the cranial cavity. It is divided into two hemispheres, left and right, connected by a band
of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. The cerebrum is the site of higher brain
functions, such as consciousness, cognition, perception, motor control, and memory.

📍Nerve Fiber Teased

Nerve fibers, also known as axons, are the long, slender projections of neurons that
transmit electrical signals from one part of the neuron to another. When viewed under a
microscope, a teased nerve fiber preparation reveals the individual axons and their
surrounding myelin sheath, which acts as an insulator to increase the speed of signal
transmission.

📍Mammal Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is a cylindrical structure that extends from the base of the brain (medulla
oblongata) to the lower back. It is composed of gray matter in the center and white matter
on the outside. The spinal cord serves as a conduit for information between the brain and
the rest of the body, transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain and motor
commands from the brain to the body.

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References:
Boundless. (n.d.). Nervous tissue. Pressbooks.

Nervous Tissue

OpenStaxCollege. (2013a, March 6). Nervous tissue. Pressbooks. https://pressbooks-
dev.oer.hawaii.edu/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/nervous-tissue/