BIOPSYCH: Nervous System

Question 1

what is the nervous system?

Answer 1

a specialised network of nerve cells in the body. It allows the brain, spinal cord + the rest of the body to communicate.

Question 2

what are the 2 main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

• to collect, process and respond to info in the environment
• to coordinate the working of different organs + cells in the body

Question 3

what is the NS subdivided into?

Answer 3

Central nervous system and Peripheral nervous system

Question 4

what is the CNS subdivided into?

Answer 4

brain and spinal cord

Question 5

what is the PNS subdivided into?

Answer 5

somatic and autonomic

Question 6

what is the autonomic nervous system subdivided into?

Answer 6

sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 7

The CNS

Answer 7

• includes brain and spinal cord
• controls behaviour, bodily processes and muscles

Question 8

The PNS

Answer 8

somatic: sensory + motor functions
autonomic: involuntary and unconscious actions
- its function is to relay messages to and from the CNS

Question 9

ANS-> Sympathetic

Answer 9

helps us deal with emergencies
- responds to perceived threat
- neurons from SNS travel to most organs/ glands within the body to produce physiological changes that prepare body for fight or flight
- E.g. pupils dilate, causes body to release stored energy, heart rate + breathing increase, non-vital functions are inhibited (e.g. digestion + urination)

Question 10

ANS-> Parasympathetic

Answer 10

restores normal physiological functioning when threat has passed
e.g. heart rate and breathing slow down, blood pressure is reduced, digestion begins