divisions of the nervous system Flashcards
(26 cards)
what is the central nervous system
serves as the main control center for the body, processing information and coordinating activity throughout the entire system.
what is this made up of
the brain and the spinal cord
what is the other type of nervous system
peripheral nervous system
what is this
connects the CNS to the rest of the body
transmits messages throughout the whole body from the brain and also relays messages back to the brain
what 2 parts is this split into
somatic nervous system
automatic nervous system
whats the role of the brain
central to maintaining life and has functions like
regulating body temperature, heart rate and breathing
language (production and understanding)
coordinating movement
AND MOREE
whats the role of the spinal cord
ensures that signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the PNS
The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord
whats the role of the cerebral cortex
outer layer of the brain
center of conscious thought, perception, and voluntary action.
essential functions like memory, thinking, learning, problem-solving, consciousness, sensory functions
what does the pns contain
huge network of spinal and cranial nerves
what are cranial nerves
nerves that connect the brain to the face, neck and torso.
can play a role in sensation and movement.
what do sensory receptors in the pns do
process internal and external change
what is the somatic nervous
transmits and receives messages from the senses apart from sight
e.g touch information from the skin (e.g. the texture of velvet)
what does it do
voluntary
communicate with the spinal cord, which then relays relevant signals to the brain
directs the muscles to move appropriately
also responsible for the reflex arc, which, although automatic (not conscious), still involves the use of muscle movement
what is the autonomic nervous system
transmits and receives information from the organs like heart-rate or breathing.
involuntary; it cannot be controlled consciously
what can this be divided into
sympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
what is the SPNS
‘fight or flight’
works closely with the endocrine system
prepares the body for physical activity when the hypothalamus detects a stimulus which requires attention/action
whats released
adrenaline
why
fuels any physical activity required of the body along with other physiological changes to prepare the body
example:
accelerated heart rate
whats the PSNS
‘rest and digest’
the body at rest which (to preserve energy) is its usual state
helps to conserve the body’s activity levels and energy by decreasing activity which may be needed later
whats an example of it doing this
slows heart and breathing rates and lowers blood pressure as the body enters a state of relaxation
The more time spent in a PNS state, the healthier a person is likely to be
what’s released during fight or flight
adrenal glands also release ATP, an energy-storing molecule that provides a short-lived, intense surge of power, designed to move someone quickly out of danger’s way
Adrenaline is transported around the body in the bloodstream and binds to receptors on its target organs
what does this then do to the body
increase in the heart rate to supply blood to the muscle cells at a faster rate
More blood means more oxygen and glucose available for muscle cells, which in turn, increases the rate of aerobic respiration
More energy is therefore provided to deal with the situation
what does adrenaline also secrete
stimulates the cardiovascular control centre in the medulla oblongata
This action increases the impulses travelling along the sympathetic neurons affecting the heart, further speeding up the heart rate
what do blood vessels do
Blood vessels to less important organs (such as the digestive system and skin) constrict so that more blood can be diverted to organs that will be involved in the “fight or flight” response
