Cranial Nerves
Cranial Nerves - A Head Case
Image taken from Yale University School of Medicine.
Copyright 1998, Yale Center for Advanced Instructional Media.
Created by: Jeffrey Caplan
Capistrano Unified
Background:
The human nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), everything outside the central nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system is divided into 2 divisions: sensory division (afferent) and motor division (efferent).
The sensory division transmits impulses from the sense organs (receptors) to the CNS. The motor division transmits impulses from the CNS to muscles and glands (effectors).
The motor division has 2 subdivisions, the somatic nervous system, under conscious control or voluntary, and autonomic nervous system, controlling involuntary functions throughout the body. The peripheral nervous system is composed of the spinal and cranial nerves. The spinal nerves carry impulses to and from the spinal cord. The cranial nerves carry impulses to and from the brain. These spinal and cranial nerves are a communication link all parts of the body.
Purpose:
1. Students will be able to explain the function and actions of the different cranial nerves of the peripheral nervous system.
2. Students will complete the activities in order to the determine which cranial nerve corresponds to the action of each nerve.
3. Students will participate in a lab demonstrating the function of each cranial nerve.
4. Students will create a graph from the Stroop Effect calculating the female vs. male averages
Resources Needed:
Computer with Internet access and Internet savvy Instructor
Your Task:
Read the information on the cranial nerves and complete the quizzes for practice.
Complete the following lab activities on the cranial nerves.
Complete the Stroop Effect activty at the Ontario Science Centre's WebSite. Click on the SciZone at top of the page, and select the stroop effect from the Your Mind Section.
Have fun and experiment
Test yourself several times. Let others try the test.
Do you see any improvement with practice?
Keep a record or graph your results if you like.
Do the first test three times and record the data in the table.
Calculate your average.
Complete the second test three times and record your data in the table.
Create a graph comparing each student's average.
You may want to compare results for both males and females.
Feel feel to explore any of the wonderful activities on the Ontario Science Centre's site.
A Few Internet Resources:
Sheppard's Science Resources
Sheppard's Useful Links
Email: caplans1@home.com
Created August 10, 2001
Last Revised August 4, 2002
Teacher Notes
Suggested Grade Level: 9-12
Science Content Standards: Note the following are examples.
Physiology
9. As a result of the coordinated structures and functions of organ systems, the internal environment of the human body remains relatively stable (homeostatic), despite changes in the outside environment.
As a basis for understanding this concept, students know:
b. how the nervous system mediates communication between different parts of the body and interactions with the environment.
c. how feedback loops in the nervous and endocrine systems regulate conditions within the body.
d. the functions of the nervous system, and the role of neurons in transmitting electrochemical impulses.
e. the roles of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons in sensation, thought, and response.
S.C.O.R.E. Lessons Standards Search by Grade and Subject
S.C.O.R.E. Standards and Framework
California Content Standards Grades K-12
California Content Standards Grades K-12 - Science - PDF Format
Background:
The human nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), everything outside the central nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system is divided into 2 divisions: sensory division (afferent) and motor division (efferent).
The sensory division transmits impulses from the sense organs (receptors) to the CNS. The motor division transmits impulses from the CNS to muscles and glands (effectors). The motor division has 2 subdivisions, the somatic nervous system, under conscious control or voluntary, and autonomic nervous system, controlling involuntary functions throughout the body. The peripheral nervous system is composed of the spinal and cranial nerves. The spinal nerves carry impulses to and from the spinal cord. The cranial nerves carry impulses to and from the brain. These spinal and cranial nerves nerves are a communication link all parts of the body.
Students need a basic background in lab procedures, cooperative team (timekeeper, supplies, clean-up) and a basic understanding of the nervous system.
Skills:
(Examples)
Interpreting data, making inferences, forming hypotheses, making predictions, graphing
Presentations -PowerPoint or Hyperstudio
Computer literacy
Effective use of Internet resources
Assessment:
(Examples)
Presentations -PowerPoint or Hyperstudio, student created web page, worksheet, peer evaluation, rubric
Quizzes from the Internet on cranial nerves and a test.
Enrichment:
(Examples)
Presentations -PowerPoint or Hyperstudio, student created web page.
The Stroop Effect and lab.