Biopsychology- Nerve System Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the nervous system?
It is a specialised network of cells in the human body and is the primary internal communication system.It consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
What is the function of the nervous system?
It has two main functions:
-To collect process and respond to information in the environment
-To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What is the central nervous system?
Consists of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions. It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system.
Describe the brain.
The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness.
The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain and it is what distinguishes human mental function from animals
It’s divided into two hemispheres - the left and right. Each hemisphere has four lobes- frontal parietal, occipital and temporal.
What is the spinal cord.
It is an extension of the brain.
It is responsible for reflex actions for example pulling a hand away from the hot plate.
It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
It transmits messages, via millions of neurons ( nerve cells), to and from the CNS. It is suvfivided into the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nerve system.
What is the Autonomic nervous system?
The ANS governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion and stress responses.
Transmits information to and from internal bodily organs. It has an involuntary effect.
It has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
It activated internal organs and increases bodily activities.
For example breathing rate (internal organ) and the flight and fight response (bodily activities)
Branch of the ANS and opposes the PSNS
What is the parasympathe nervous system?
It relaxes internal organs and decreases bodily activities. For example the rest and digest, Conserving resources and promoting digestion and metabolism.
Branch of the ANS and works in opposition to the SPNS
What is the somatic nervous system?
It transmit information from receptors cells in the sense organs to the CNS. It receives information from the CNS that directs muscles to act. It has a voluntary effect.
