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Learn: The Nervous System - Receptors, Coordinators and Effectors
WJEC GCSE in BIOLOGY specification
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Welcome!Today we'll explore how the nervous system works. This lesson is personalised for you, focusing on receptors, coordinators and effectors.
What is the Nervous System?The nervous system helps detect changes in the environment, coordinate responses and control actions. It relies on three key parts: receptors, coordinators, and effectors.
ReceptorsReceptors are specialised cells that detect stimuli (changes in the environment like light, sound or temperature). These are found in sense organs like the eyes, skin and ears.
Quick check: What do receptors detect?
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CoordinatorsCoordinators are parts of the nervous system that process information received from receptors. The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS), which acts as the main coordinator.
The {{blank0}} and {{blank1}} form the central nervous system.
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EffectorsEffectors are organs or tissues that carry out the response. For example, muscles contract or glands release chemicals based on signals from the nervous system.
Quick check: Which of these is an effector?
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How Do They Work Together?The nervous system works in a sequence: Receptors detect stimuli → Coordinators process information → Effectors produce a response. This ensures the body reacts appropriately to changes.
Match the items on the left with their correct pairs on the right
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Review Time!Great work! You've learned about receptors, coordinators and effectors. Now let’s test your understanding with a few questions.
Which of the following are true about the nervous system? (Select all that apply)
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The sequence of the nervous system is {{blank0}} → {{blank1}} → {{blank2}}.
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What does an effector do?
Start the lesson to answer this multiple choice question
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