Regenerative Medicine Partnership in Education: intro to nervous system

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Nervous Tissue: the Brain and the Spinal Cord

Learn with moviesYou can learn regenerative medicine also with our animated movies, that take you into the body to observe these processes at cellular level! Learn more about:

The bone and the heart with "Dr. Allevable's Unbelievable Laboratory"

The spinal cord with "Regenerobot and the Robot Science Fair"

The mysteries of the brain with the aliens in "Grey Matters: the Brain Show"

Our Cells, Our Selves - Immune system and Diabetes

The evolution of the immune system and how Type 1 Diabetes arises in "Our Cells, Our Selves"

See more about the movies >>

What You Will Find

In this section, you will find interactive activities and other learning tools.

Introduction to the Nervous System

The mind is something very different from the brain. It is our awareness of the world, our reasoning and beliefs. Science can't explain the human mind, culture, or our creative artifacts (books, sculpture, movies), but we can certainly tell you a bit about the biology of the brain.

This is the surface of the heart. It is made of long muscle cells, called cadiomyocites, and it is covered in small blood vessels, called capillaries, which feed the cells.

We all have the same brains, made up of massive networks of neurons as well as other cells and structures, such as blood . Yet we think, feel, and react in our own special way. This happens because the experiences we have through our bodies interacting in the world are so wide and varied. Our languages, cultures, activities and friendships also provide for varying perspectives and perceptions. Our environment helps shape what our mind is to become.

The brain is where our body processes all of the information we receive from the world around us. It is constantly receiving and sending this through from cells called neurons that are located throughout the body. Science has discovered a lot about the human brain and how it works, so let's start learning!

Within the Nervous System: Neurons and Synapses: The nervous system is made of neurons. Discover how they communicate through synapses.
Biology of the Spinal Cord: How does the spinal cord work? Does it do any thinking?
Spinal Cord Injury: What happens when the spinal cord is injured?
The Senses: How our senses gather information and how the brain organizes that information.
Exploring the Brain: How the brain uses context to make sense of the world around us.
Brain Development: What is the difference between the brain and the mind?
Regenerative Medicine and the Nervous System: Can regenerative medicine doctors and scientists help injuries to the nervous tissue?

Introduction to the Nervous System

Move the mouse. Tap your fingers. Focus on your breath. Think quickly: what is 2x23? All of these things are controlled by the nervous system.

Together, the brain, the spinal cord, and a network of long cells make up the Nervous System. Through this network of long cells, the brain and the spinal cord communicate with the rest of the body: muscles, organs, sensory organs and tissues.

The signals that are transmitted by this network allow the body to move, breathe, maintain posture, and carry out many other functions.

Learn more about Nervous System: