Divisions of the Nervous system and parts of the brain Flashcards
(14 cards)
Based on STRUCTURE what are the 2 divisions of the nervous system.
The Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What 2 structures make up the Central Nervous system (CNS)
The Brain and the Spinal cord.
What are the overall functions of the nervous system.
1) Collect sensory information.
2) Store information and make decisions on appropriate responses.
3) make motor responses by initiating muscular contractions or glandular secretions.
Based on FUNCTION, what are the 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system, the PNS?
The Somatic Nervous System - which controls mostly voluntary actions in response to external stimuli. (involuntary reflex actions are controlled by this division)
The Autonomic Nervous system (ANS) which controls involuntary responses to internal stimuli and thus controls heart rate, breathing rate, diameter of blood vessels, activity of the digestive system and a vast array of other things!
what is the correct order of information flow in the nervous system:
A) Effector, motor neuron, CNS, sensory neuron, receptor
B) Receptor, motor neuron, CNS, sensory neuron, effector
C) Receptor, sensory neuron, CNS, motor neuron, effector.
or
D) Effector, sensory neuron, CNS, motor neuron, receptor.
C) Receptor, sensory neuron, CNS, motor neuron, Effector.
What are the 2 divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System (the ANS)?
1) The Sympathetic Nervous system - which prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’.
and
2) the Parasympathetic Nervous System - which calms the body ready for ‘Rest and digest’
These branches as described as being ANTAGONISTIC to each other - having opposing actions.
What is the action of the sympathetic nervous system on heart rate, breathing rate and the digestive process
Heart rate is increased
Breathing rate is increased
Digestive process is slowed - peristalsis is reduced
secretions are reduced.
What is the action of the parasympathetic nervous system on heart rate, breathing rate and the digestive process.
Heart rate is decreased
Breathing rate is decreased
Digestive process speeds up - peristalsis is increased
secretions are increased.
What are the 3 basic divisions of the brain?
The central core,
The cerebral cortex and
The limbic system.
What are the 2 parts of the central core and what are their functions?
The medulla (oblongata) - regulates basic life processes breathing, heart rate, arousal, and sleep.
The cerebellum - responsible for controlling balance, posture and movement.
What are the functions of the limbic system?
processing information for memories and influencing emotional (fear, anger, aggression, pleasure) and motivational state (thirst, hunger, sexual behaviour, addiction)
What are the functions of the cerebral cortex?
Centre of conscious thought, recalls memories and alters behaviour in the light of experience.
What is meant by ‘Localisation of Function’?
The cerebral cortex can be mapped to show the location of sensory areas, motor areas and (sensory and motor) association areas. You should know where these are on a diagram and that the speech motor areas is in the left hemisphere. The evidence used to map the brain comes from brain injuries and Split brain studies which you should understand and be able to answer questions on.
Via which structure do the left and right cerebral hemispheres communicate?
The Corpus Callossum -
