The Nervous System
The human nervous system is the control center of the body, monitoring conditions within and outside the body and sending out electrical signals to respond to them. Web sites explaining the system can be found in all levels of complexity, from child-friendly to extremely technical. No matter your level of scientific aptitude, we’ve found Web sites that explain how the brain and body transmit signals back and forth to interpret and respond to stimuli, control motion and regulate bodily functions.
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Expand All Guide SectionsNervous System Basics
The nervous system consists of a highly specialized network of cells called neurons that transmit ... read more »
The Nervous System for Kids
Whether you’re teaching a class about the systems of the body or simply looking to reassure your child before a tooth extraction, you’ll find all the information you’ll need on the Web sites recommended in this section.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you touch a hot stove and burn your hand, the pain isn’t actually in your hand—it’s in your head. The sites below explain why.
- To some extent, the nervous system controls every other system in the body. So if you’re teaching kids about all the systems of the body, it would be a good idea to save the nervous system for last, allowing you to explain how it interacts with the other systems they’re already familiar with.
Dulcinea's Picks
Biology4Kids.com gives a kid-friendly overview of the nervous system. It touches on the major scientific terms but mixes the science with fun anecdotes. The site also offers a true/false quiz on the nervous system.
Hillendale Elementary School gives a brief discussion of the nervous system and its major parts. Also look for explanations of interesting nervous system phenomena (specifically, why we get chills and why we get fevers).
Discovery Kids presents “Your Gross and Cool Body: Nervous System.” The page gives an overview of how the nervous system works, using analogies and kid-friendly jargon to effectively convey some valuable scientific concepts.
Advanced Neuroscience Resources
Whether you’re a college biology student or medical student searching for information to help ... read more »
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