Nervous System Worksheet | PDF - Free Printable

Here is the completed solution for both parts of your worksheet: Lesson Review (matching) and Skill Challenge (labeling).

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## ✔ Lesson Review — Matching Column A with Column B

Match each description in Column A with the correct term from Column B.

| Column A | Letter | Column B |
|----------|--------|----------|
| 1. nerve cell | c | neuron |
| 2. fiber that carries messages away from a nerve cell | a | axon |
| 3. protects the brain | d | skull |
| 4. protects the spinal cord | i | backbone |
| 5. fiber that carries messages to the nerve cell body | b | dendrite |
| 6. control center of the body | g | brain |
| 7. group of many nerves that extend down the back | f | spinal cord |
| 8. brain, spinal cord, and nerves | e | nervous system |
| 9. gap between the axon of one cell and the dendrite of another | h | synapse |

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🧠 Explanation for Matching:

- 1. Nerve cell = neuron (c) – The basic unit of the nervous system.
- 2. Fiber carrying messages *away* = axon (a) – Axons transmit signals *out* from the cell body.
- 3. Protects the brain = skull (d) – The bony structure surrounding the brain.
- 4. Protects the spinal cord = backbone (i) – Also called the vertebral column.
- 5. Fiber carrying messages *to* the cell = dendrite (b) – Dendrites receive incoming signals.
- 6. Control center = brain (g) – The brain directs all body functions.
- 7. Group of nerves down the back = spinal cord (f) – Connects brain to body; bundle of nerves.
- 8. Brain + spinal cord + nerves = nervous system (e) – The entire communication network.
- 9. Gap between axon and dendrite = synapse (h) – Where neurotransmitters cross to send signals between neurons.

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## ✔ Skill Challenge — Labeling the Nerve Cell Diagram

Use these labels:
axon, dendrites, cell body, nucleus, axon tip, dendrite tip, synapse

Based on standard neuron anatomy and the diagram:

| Label | Part of Neuron | Explanation |
|-------|----------------|-------------|
| a. | dendrites | Branch-like structures receiving signals *toward* the cell body. |
| b. | cell body | Contains the nucleus; main part of the neuron. |
| c. | axon | Long fiber carrying signals *away* from the cell body. |
| d. | axon tip | End of the axon where neurotransmitters are released. |
| e. | synapse | Gap between axon tip of one neuron and dendrite of next neuron. |
| f. | nucleus | Inside the cell body; controls cell activities. |
| g. | dendrite tip | Ends of dendrites that receive signals from other neurons. |

> 💡 Note: In the magnified view (circle), you can see the synaptic vesicles releasing neurotransmitters across the synapse (e) into the next neuron’s dendrite.

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## 🖊️ Final Answer Key (for filling in the blanks):

Lesson Review:

1. c
2. a
3. d
4. i
5. b
6. g
7. f
8. e
9. h

Skill Challenge Labels:

- a. dendrites
- b. cell body
- c. axon
- d. axon tip
- e. synapse
- f. nucleus
- g. dendrite tip

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✔ You’ve now correctly matched and labeled all parts! This worksheet helps you understand how neurons communicate and how the nervous system is structured. Great job learning about the nervous system!