Nervous System
Overview
A goat that snatches its hoof off a hot zinc roofing sheet before it even feels the burn, and a bull that arrives at the Kano abattoir with a pounding heart and a silent gut after a rough truck ride from Sokoto, are both being run by the same system: the nervous system. It is the fastest communication network any animal owns, and a stockman who understands it reads an animal's behaviour, health and stress the way a mechanic reads an engine.
In this lesson you will learn the two divisions WAEC expects you to know: the central nervous system, brain and spinal cord, which processes information and fires reflexes, and the autonomic nervous system, whose sympathetic and parasympathetic halves pull the heart, gut and lungs in opposite directions without the animal ever choosing to. You will trace a reflex arc, contrast fight or flight against rest and digest, and see why this physiology decides how a stockman handles, transports and reads the health of every animal in the pen.
Objectives
- Define the nervous system
- Distinguish between the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
- State the functions of the central nervous system
- State the functions of the autonomic nervous system
- Explain the importance of the nervous system to a farm animal
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Nervous System. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which two organs make up the central nervous system of a farm animal? A. Heart and lungs B. Brain and spinal cord C. Spinal cord and rumen D. Brain and heart Answer: B
- The brain region mainly responsible for balance and coordination of movement is the: A. Cerebrum B. Medulla oblongata C. Cerebellum D. Spinal cord Answer: C
- Arrange in the correct order for a reflex action: (i) effector (ii) receptor (iii) relay neuron (iv) motor neuron (v) sensory neuron. A. ii, v, iii, iv, i B. i, ii, iii, iv, v C. ii, iii, iv, v, i D. v, ii, iii, iv, i Answer: A
- Which division of the autonomic nervous system slows the heart rate and increases gut activity? A. Sympathetic B. Parasympathetic C. Central D. Peripheral Answer: B
- A frightened animal's heart rate rises and its digestion slows down. This response is controlled by the: A. Parasympathetic division B. Cerebellum C. Sympathetic division D. Spinal reflex arc Answer: C
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