3A - CNS & PNS Flashcards
(13 cards)
what does the CNS do?
sends and recieves messages to and from the PNS
what does the brain do?
processes sensory information and coordinates a response to the information
what does the spinal cord do?
connects brain to PNS
what does the peripheral nervous system do?
carries sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS
what does the somatic nervous system do? (2)
- initiate skeletal movement
- carries sensory information to the CNS through afferent pathways and carries motor information from CNS using efferent pathways
what does the autonomic nervous system do? (3)
- connects CNS to internal organs and glands
- self-regulating / automatic (not under voluntary control)
- regulates the muscles controlling organs
spinal reflex process
sensory stimulus is detected by sensory receptors
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sensory neurons carry information via afferent pathway to spinal cord
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interneurons in spinal cord initiate an involuntary motor movement
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this is relayed to motor neurons and carried via efferent pathway to muscles
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muscles perform reflex response without input from the brain
what is the somatic nervous system responsible for?
controlling voluntary skeletal muscle movements and mediating sensory input from the skin, muscles, and joints
what is the autonomic nervous system responsible for?
involuntary body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and breathing.
what is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?
preparing the body for the “fight or flight” response
what is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?
the body’s “rest and digest” response
what is the fight or flight response ?
automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening
what is the rest and digest response ?
restores the body to a state of calm and balance after a stressful situation
