12: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Flashcards
How many systems is the nervous system made from
2
The central nervous system
The peripheral nervous system
What is the CNS (central nervous system)
- the main control centre of the body where all information sent from other systems in the body is collected and analysed in prep for a response
what is the peripheral nervous system responsible for
responsible for nerve processes that branch out from the spinal cord and connect with receptors in muscles, glands, blood vessels and organs
what is the somatic nervous system
- part of peripheral nervous system. responsible for all voluntary actions (contracting muscles)
- concerned with the changes in the external environment
- senses movement, touch, pain, skin temp etc
- under conscious coontrol
what is the autonomic system
- part of the peripheral nervous system.
- responsible for involuntary actions (no control) such as digestion, hormonal status, controls cardiac and smooth muscles
- concerned with changes in the internal environment
- not under conscious control
what is the sympathetic system
part of the autonomic system of the peripheral nervous system. the accelerator that speeds everything up eg. if in danger, heart rate goes up)
- fight or flight
what is the parasympathetic system
- acts as the breaks. cool down after work out - reduces heart rate etc
- responsible for decreasing activity and more active during times of relaxation and calm
What are messages or impulses that pass through the nervous system transmitted by?
Nerve cells aka neurons (functional units/information messengers)
What are neurons/nerve cells made up of
- Nucleus
- Main cell body
- Dendrites
- Axon
- Node of ranvier
- Myelin sheath
- Axon terminals
What is the main cell body responsible for
Directing information
What are dendrites responsible for
transmitting information towards the cell body
What is the axon responsible for
transmitting information away from the cell body
What extends from the main cell body
Nerve fibres
the conduction of information along nerves requires the involvement of what
neurotransmitter chemicals produced by nerve cells that allow nerve signals to jump from one cell to the next
What is motor unit recruitment?
Motor unit recruitment refers to the activation of motor units in a muscle.
What is the size principle?
The size principle states that smaller motor units are recruited first, followed by larger ones as the intensity of the contraction increases.
What is the relationship between the rate of motor unit recruitment and the quality of movement?
The rate at which motor units are recruited affects the quality of movement. Slow and controlled movements require a lower rate of motor unit recruitment and are effective for improving stability and control. Fast and explosive movements require a higher rate of motor unit recruitment and are effective for improving power and speed.
Which type of muscle fiber is recruited first and what type of activity is it used for?
Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers are recruited first and are used for low-intensity, endurance activities.
Which type of muscle fiber is recruited for high-intensity, explosive activities?
Type II (fast-twitch) muscle fibers are recruited for high-intensity, explosive activities.
what is the all-or-none principle
when a motor unit receives a stimulus of sufficient intensity to bring forth a response, all the muscle fibres within the unit will contract at the same time, and to the maximum possible extent.
What is the neuromuscular connection?
The neuromuscular connection refers to the communication between the nervous system and the muscles it innervates.
What are the effects of exercise on neuromuscular connections?
Exercise can improve the neuromuscular connection by strengthening the synapses between motor neurons and muscle fibers, enhancing motor unit recruitment, and improving coordination.
How does exercise enhance motor unit recruitment?
Exercise can enhance motor unit recruitment by increasing the number of motor units activated during a contraction, improving the synchronization of motor unit firing, and increasing the rate of motor unit recruitment.
What is the relationship between exercise and motor skills?
Exercise can improve motor skills by enhancing neuromuscular connections, improving muscle strength and endurance, increasing coordination, and enhancing proprioception.
what is the function of the nervous system
- the body’s electrical communication system
- monitors change in the internal and external environment
- messages received as a result of these changes needs to be interpreted so the correct response can be made
what is sensory input
monitoring events and changes inside and outside of the body
what is motor output
response to the incoming data
what is the CNS made up of
brain and spinal cord
what is the role of the brain in the CNS
interpreting data and messages recieved