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๐ฌ Think about it
Touch something hot and your hand pulls back before you even think.
You can still hum a song from years ago.
What carries these fast messages and stores memories?
Let us meet the nervous tissue.
What is nervous tissue?
Nervous Tissue
Nervous
of the brain and nerves
Tissue
a group of similar cells โ the neurons
โ
The control and coordination network of the body.
How does nervous tissue work?
- The brain is the control centre for our activities, memory and responses.
- Nervous tissue receives messages, processes them and sends out orders.
- Muscles cannot work on their own โ they take orders from nervous tissue.
What are the cells of nervous tissue called?
- They are called neurons (nerve cells).
What are neurons?
- A neuron is the nerve cell of nervous tissue.
- It receives a signal and carries the message on to other cells.
Explain the parts of a neuron.
![3.3.4 How does the body sense, c - Tissues in Action - [Teachoo] - Concepts](https://cdn.teachoo.com/f255b795-9680-4a5d-94e4-9b8686525203/3.3.4-how-does-the-body-sense-communicate-and-respond-image-41.webp)
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Cell body | Holds the nucleus and controls the cell |
| Dendrites | Receive signals from other neurons |
| Axon | The long fibre that carries the message away |
| Axon terminals | Pass the message on to other cells |
Important Points
- Nervous tissue controls and coordinates the body.
- Its cells, the neurons, receive, process and transmit messages.
- A neuron has a cell body, dendrites, an axon and axon terminals.
โ Test Yourself
-
What is the job of nervous tissue?
View Answer
Control and coordination โ carrying messages around the body. -
What is a neuron?
View Answer
A nerve cell that receives, processes and transmits messages. -
Which part of a neuron receives signals?
View Answer
The dendrites. -
Which part carries the message away?
View Answer
The axon.
Important Definitions
- Nervous tissue โ the tissue that controls and coordinates the body by carrying messages.
- Neuron โ a nerve cell that receives, processes and transmits messages.
- Axon โ the long fibre of a neuron that carries messages away from the cell body.
