CNS, PNS, and brain regions
Analyze how the CNS and PNS divide labor and connect regions to functions.
CNS/PNS sorting table (five body actions classified with justification) plus three brain-region-to-function matches referenced from the Wednesday map.
- 1Do thisAnalyze how the CNS and PNS divide labor and connect regions to functions.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisNotebook check: CNS/PNS sorting table (five body actions classified with justification) plus three brain-region-to-function matches referenced from the Wednesday map.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Human Anatomy & Physiology (Human Body Systems) › Unit 2.1 Getting Nervous: Nervous system structure, brain anatomy, neurons, signaling, sheep brain or virtual alternative. › Notebook checkOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: The nervous system is divided into the CNS (brain and spinal cord, integration) and PNS (all other nerves, transmission); understanding this division explains how and where neurological injuries create deficits.
- 0-8Intro: CNS vs PNS division and clinical significance
- 8-25Notes: CNS (brain + spinal cord) vs PNS (all other nerves); regeneration difference
- 25-45PLTW online task: nervous-system organization
- 45-62Sort five body actions into CNS-controlled vs PNS-relayed; justify each
- 62-75Match three brain regions (from Wednesday map) to specific functions
- 75-80Submit sorting and region-function matches; preview Friday packet
- • Yesterday you saw the brain from the outside and inside. Today we zoom out to see how it connects to the rest of the body.
- • Two divisions: the CNS is the brain and spinal cord. Everything else is the PNS. The difference matters clinically because damage to each heals differently.
- • Your sorting activity and region-function matches today are the analytical piece of this unit. Use your brain-region map from Wednesday as a reference.
- • Pathophysiology of the nervous system, what goes wrong and why, is one of the highest-weighted sections of the WebXam.
- 1Read the notes on the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- 2Sort five body actions into CNS-controlled and PNS-relayed pathways.
- 3Complete the PLTW online task on nervous-system organization.
- 4Match three brain regions to the functions they control.
- 5Submit your CNS/PNS sorting and region-function matches.
- • You can distinguish CNS and PNS roles.
- • You can match brain regions to their functions.
- • CNS: brain and spinal cord. Integrates sensory input and initiates motor output. Damage to CNS neurons is generally permanent because mature CNS neurons do not regenerate.
- • PNS: all cranial and spinal nerves outside the CNS. Transmits signals to and from the CNS. PNS neurons can regenerate under some conditions.
- • Neurological pathophysiology follows division lines: a stroke (CNS) causes permanent deficits on the opposite side of the body; a peripheral nerve injury may recover with time.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 2.1 Getting Nervous: Nervous system structure, brain anatomy, neurons, signaling, sheep brain or virtual alternative. · CNS, PNS, and brain regions
Day 4 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Complete the CNS and PNS analysis task in Lesson 2.1 Getting Nervous on myPLTW; finish all division-of-labor and region-to-function screens before writing your analysis.
Mark the CNS or PNS task complete after submitting your brain-region analysis.
Brain-regions task is done; today the analysis task should show complete and your written analysis should be submitted.
myPLTW completion status plus submitted analysis.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 2.1 Getting Nervous: Nervous system structure, brain anatomy, neurons, signaling, sheep brain or virtual alternative. · CNS, PNS, and brain regions
Complete the CNS and PNS analysis task in Lesson 2.1 Getting Nervous on myPLTW; finish all division-of-labor and region-to-function screens before writing your analysis.
Brain-regions task is done; today the analysis task should show complete and your written analysis should be submitted.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Analyze how the CNS and PNS divide labor and connect regions to functions.
- Read the notes on the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Sort five body actions into CNS-controlled and PNS-relayed pathways.
- Complete the PLTW online task on nervous-system organization.
- Match three brain regions to the functions they control.
- Submit your CNS/PNS sorting and region-function matches.
Notebook check: CNS/PNS sorting table (five body actions classified with justification) plus three brain-region-to-function matches referenced from the Wednesday map.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Read the notes on the central and peripheral nervous systems. | _______ |
| Sort five body actions into CNS-controlled and PNS-relayed pathways. | _______ |
| Complete the PLTW online task on nervous-system organization. | _______ |
| Match three brain regions to the functions they control. | _______ |
| Submit your CNS/PNS sorting and region-function matches. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You can distinguish CNS and PNS roles.
- You can match brain regions to their functions.
Resources & readings
Vetted readings and references for this unit. Use them to prepare, to catch up if you were absent, or to go deeper on today's target.
Lab & supplies
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your Notebook check.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy: Nervous System- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Mon, Oct 12, 2026 · CNS, PNS, and brain regions here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
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