Spinal cord and spinal nerves (WJEC A-level biology)

This lesson focuses on the main areas of the spinal cord but also introduces key nervous system structures to prepare students for upcoming topic 8 lessons. The PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been planned to cover the content of points (b & c) of topic 8 of A2 unit 3 of the WJEC A-level biology specification.

The lesson begins with a challenge, where students must use their knowledge of content from earlier topics to reveal 5 numbers that add up to 33. They will learn that this is the normal number of vertebrae in the human vertebral column and this leads into the recognition that these bones act to surround and protect the spinal cord. The meninges are introduced and then a quick quiz round is used to reveal the term, grey matter. Students will see that this is found in the centre of the spinal cord and is surrounded by an outer region of white matter. The idea of myelination is introduced, and initial details provided about the increased conductance speed in myelinated neurones because of saltatory conduction. Moving forwards, students will meet the terms dorsal and ventral and see on a diagram that nerves enter and leave the cord by these roots. The role of cerebrospinal fluid is explored and a series of exam-style questions are used to challenge their knowledge from topic 4 as well as their mathematical skills. The answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to allow the students to assess their progress.

The lesson finishes with the introduction of the cauda equina as the bundle of nerves at the distal end of the spinal cord.