The Human Nervous System Flashcards
(10 cards)
The Central Nervous System
Comprises the brain and spinal cord; the CNS controls the body by processing and responding to sensory input from the peripheral nervous system.
Spinal Cord
Each half corresponds to the half of the body it’s responsible for communication between the brain.
Also controls reflex activities.
Brain
Receives and processes sensory information, initiates responses, stores memories and generates thoughts and emotions.
The Peripheral Nervous System
Communicates information from the body to the CNS and to the body’s organs, glands, and muscles.
Somatic Nervous System
A subdivision of the PNS that carries sensory information into the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to the skeletal muscles.
Autonomic Nervous System
Consisting of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches and responsible for the communication between the body’s non-skeletal muscles and the internal organs and glands that carry out bodily functions.
Sensory Neurons
Carry information from the body and outside world into the CNS; aka effector neurons.
Motor Neurons
Communicates messages from the CNS to the particular muscles that an organism intends to move at any particular moment; aka efferent neurons.
Sympathetic Nervous System
A branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates the flight-fight-freeze response.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A branch of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for maintaining day-to-day functioning and most of the automatic functions of the body such as digestion, heart rate, breathing and some glandular functions.
