This key facts covers Key Facts within Nervous System for GCSE Biology. Topic 2: Nervous System It is section 2 of 18 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📋 Key Facts
- The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord — it is the coordination centre.
- Sensory neurones transmit impulses from receptors to the CNS.
- Relay neurones connect sensory and motor neurones within the CNS.
- Motor neurones transmit impulses from the CNS to effectors (muscles or glands).
- The full pathway: stimulus → receptor → sensory neurone → CNS → motor neurone → effector → response
Types of sensory receptor:
- Photoreceptors — detect light (in the retina of the eye)
- Thermoreceptors — detect temperature changes (in the skin)
- Pressure receptors — detect touch and pressure (in the skin)
- Chemoreceptors — detect chemicals (on the tongue and in the nose)
Practice questions for Nervous System
What are the two organs that make up the central nervous system (CNS)?
Explain how a signal is transmitted across a synapse from one neurone to the next.
Quick recall flashcards
Name four types of sensory receptor.
Photoreceptors (light, in eye), thermoreceptors (temperature, in skin), pressure receptors (touch, in skin), chemoreceptors (chemicals, in tongue and nose).
Name the three types of neurone.
Sensory (receptor → CNS), relay (within CNS), motor (CNS → effector). Remember: SRM — Students Revise Methodically.