National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health
Seer Training Modules: Introduction to the Nervous System
Self-guided learning activity where students learn about the structure and function of the human nervous system. There is a short quiz at the end of the lesson to check for understanding.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: The Nervous System
An animal's response to a stimulus is coordinated by its central nervous system (CNS). Neurons carry electrical impulses, and are connected by synapses. Some drugs and toxins affect how impulses pass from one neuron to the next across a...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: Autonomic Reflexes and Homeostasis
Looks at how to determine the effect of the autonomic nervous system on the regulation of the various organ systems on the basis of the signaling molecules involved.
PBS
Newton's Apple: Reflexes
Newton's Apple informational site on reflexes. Includes vocabulary, resources, and several hands-on activities.
Curated OER
Kids Health: What Are Reflexes?
This succinct site provides a basic explanation of what reflexes are and delves into the role of the spinal cord and nervous system in communicating and receiving messages.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: The Sensory and Motor Exams
Students learn the arrangement of sensory and motor regions in the spinal cord in order to understand a sensory and motor exam. They will also understand the clinical indications of common reflexes.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science of Baseball: Biological Baseball
Younger students learn that hitting a baseball requires the use of various brain to body reaction activities and how those compare to the instincts and actions of animals.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Charles Sherrington
Learn about Charles Sherrington, the Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine for his work on the functions of neurons.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: Motor Responses
Students learn the structure and function of the descending pathways of the motor commands from the cortex to the skeletal muscles.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Brain Is a Computer
Students learn about the similarities between the human brain and its engineering counterpart, the computer. Since students work with computers routinely, this comparison strengthens their understanding of both how the brain works and...
Other
Wayne Stewart/social Insects
Discussion of insects that show awareness of others of their own species although their behavior is highly regimented and instinctive.