the nervous system

Question 1

what is the purpose of the nervous system?

Answer 1

• to collect, process, and respond to information in the environment
• to coordinate the working of different organs

Question 2

what is the nervous system sub-divided into?

Answer 2

1. central
2. peripheral

Question 3

what is the central nervous system?

Answer 3

• brain and spinal cord
• spinal cord is responsible for reflex actions
• passes messages to and from the brain
• connects nerves to the PNS
• outer layer = cerebral cortex

Question 4

what is the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 4

• transmits messages via neurons to and from the CNS
• consists of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord
• subdivided into:
  1. autonomic nervous system
  2. somatic nervous system

Question 5

what are the left and right brains associated with?

Answer 5

left = language, analytical thinking, logical abilities
right = musical, artistic abilities

• these are further divided into 4 distinct lobes

Question 6

what is the somatic nervous system?

Answer 6

• interactions of the outside world
• voluntary movements of skeletal muscles

Question 7

what is the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 7

• involuntary movements
• e.g. digestion, pupil size

subdivided into:
1. sympathetic
2. parasympathetic

Question 8

define the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 8

sympathetic:
- activated in situations requiring arousal and energy (threatened or under stress)
- ‘fight or flight’ = aiding survival
- produces = increased heart rate/ blood flow, pupil dilation

parasympathetic:
- after the threat of danger has passed
- allows the body to return to homeostasis (balance)
- everything returns to normal