EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The nervous system uses tiny cells called neurons (NEW-ronz) to send messages back and forth from the brain, through the spinal cord, to the nerves throughout the body. Billions of neurons work together to create a communication network. Different neurons have different jobs.

Detailed explanation-2: -A synapse releases chemical signals, which are called neurotransmitters. These signals travel to another neuron to create a new electrical wave in that cell. Figure 1: Communication between two nerve cells. The structure of a nerve cell, and the site of cell-to-cell communication (the “synapse”).

Detailed explanation-3: -The rest of the nervous system is like a network that relays messages back and forth from the brain to different parts of the body. It does this via the spinal cord, which runs from the brain down through the back. It contains threadlike nerves that branch out to every organ and body part.

Detailed explanation-4: -Motor neurons tell your muscles to move. Sensory neurons take information from your senses and send signals to your brain.

Detailed explanation-5: -Located in the central part of the brain, the thalamus receives sensory messages, such as touch, from the body, and sends the messages to the appropriate part of the brain to be interpreted.