Why does your hand jerk away from something hot before you feel pain?

A reflex arc through the spinal cord

Nervous System Trivia: 10 Questions With Answers

This nervous system trivia covers neurons and synapses, the brain and spinal cord, the central and peripheral nervous systems, reflexes and the autonomic system that controls heartbeat and digestion. Ten questions with answers on the body's communication network.

Start Nervous System Trivia

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Parts
What makes up the central nervous system?
Cells
What are nerve cells called?
Gap
What is the gap between two neurons called?
Wire
Which part of a neuron carries signals away from the cell body?
Reflex
Why does your hand jerk away from something hot before you feel pain?
Automatic
Which part controls heartbeat and digestion without thought?
Fight
Which system triggers the fight-or-flight response?
Rest
Which system helps the body rest and digest?
Speed
Up to how fast can nerve signals travel?
Spine
About how long is the adult spinal cord?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What makes up the central nervous system?
Answer: The brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nerves connect it to the body.
Q2: What are nerve cells called?
Answer: Neurons
They carry electrical signals.
Q3: What is the gap between two neurons called?
Answer: Synapse
Chemicals called neurotransmitters cross it.
Q4: Which part of a neuron carries signals away from the cell body?
Answer: Axon
Many axons are wrapped in myelin.
Q5: Why does your hand jerk away from something hot before you feel pain?
Answer: A reflex arc through the spinal cord
Reflexes save time.
Q6: Which part controls heartbeat and digestion without thought?
Answer: Autonomic nervous system
It works automatically.
Q7: Which system triggers the fight-or-flight response?
Answer: Sympathetic nervous system
It speeds the heart and breathing.
Q8: Which system helps the body rest and digest?
Answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
It slows the heart.
Q9: Up to how fast can nerve signals travel?
Answer: About 120 meters per second
Myelin speeds them up.
Q10: About how long is the adult spinal cord?
Answer: About 45 centimeters
It ends near the lower back.

Nervous System Trivia – The Body's Messaging Network

The nervous system carries messages throughout the body. The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system, while nerves branching to every organ and limb form the peripheral nervous system.

Neurons send electrical signals along their axons and pass chemical messages across synapses. Reflexes, like pulling your hand from heat, travel through the spinal cord for speed. The autonomic system runs automatic tasks like breathing, heartbeat and digestion.

The nervous system adapts and learns throughout life. Injuries to the spinal cord can be serious, and scientists are researching ways to repair nerves and help people regain movement.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is for students learning about the nervous system.

What the CNS includes
What synapses are
How reflexes work
What the autonomic system does
How fast signals travel

Did You Know?

The longest nerve is the sciatic nerve.
Myelin is a fatty insulating layer.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter.
The vagus nerve links brain and gut.
Nerve cells can live a lifetime.