7.1b Functional Classification

Question 1

What is the primary focus of the functional classification scheme?

Answer 1

PNS structures

PNS stands for peripheral nervous system.

Question 2

What are the two principal subdivisions of the functional classification scheme?

Answer 2

• Sensory division (afferent)
• Motor division (efferent)

Afferent means ‘to go toward’ while efferent means ‘exits the CNS’.

Question 3

Nerves that convey impulses to the CNS from sensory receptors

Answer 3

sensory division, or afferent division

It keeps the CNS informed of internal and external events.

Question 4

Fibers delivering impulses from skin, skeletal muscles, and joints

Answer 4

somatic sensory fibers

‘Somatic’ refers to the body.

Question 5

Fibers transmitting impulses from visceral organs

Answer 5

visceral sensory fibers

‘Visceral’ refers to internal organs.

Question 6

Carries impulses from the CNS to effector organs

Answer 6

motor division, or efferent division

Effector organs include muscles and glands.

Question 7

2 Subdivisions of Motor Division:

Allows conscious control of skeletal muscles

Answer 7

somatic nervous system / voluntary nervous system

Often referred to as the voluntary nervous system.

Question 8

What is a characteristic of skeletal muscle reflexes?

Answer 8

They are involuntary

An example is the stretch reflex.

Question 9

What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulate?

Answer 9

Involuntary activities; smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands

Also known as the involuntary nervous system.

Question 10

2 Subdivisions of Motor Division:

regulates events that are involuntary (no conscious control), such as the activity of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Answer 10

autonomic nervous system (ANS) / involuntary nervous system

Question 11

What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 11

• Sympathetic
• Parasympathetic

These typically have opposite effects on the body.

Question 12

True or False: The subdivisions of the nervous system act independently.

Answer 12

False

The nervous system acts as a coordinated unit.