The nervous system

Question 1

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

Answer 1

Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system.

Question 2

What is the CNS divided into?

Answer 2

Spinal cord and brain.

Question 3

What is the peripheral nervous system divided into?

Answer 3

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.

Question 4

What is the autonomic nervous system divided into?

Answer 4

Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 5

What is the function of the CNS?

Answer 5

Receive information from the senses and controls the body’s responses.

Question 6

What is the spinal cord and what is its function?

Answer 6

Bundle of nerve fibers enclosed within the spinal column. Connects nearly all parts of the body with the brain.

Question 7

What is the function of the brain?

Answer 7

Part of the CNS that is responsible for coordinating sensation, intellect and nervous activity.

Question 8

What is the peripheral nervous system and its function?

Answer 8

All the nerves outside of the CNS. Relays nerve impulses from CNS to the rest of the body and from body to CNS.

Question 9

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Answer 9

Responsible for carrying sensory and motor information to and from the CNS. Also responsible for reflex actions (does not involve CNS).

Question 10

What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 10

Governs the brain’s involuntary activities (heartbeat, stress) and is self-regulating.

Question 11

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 11

Neurons travel to virtually every gland and organ in the body to prepare the body for emergencies (fight or flight).

Question 12

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 12

Reverses the effects of the sympathetic nervous system once the emergency has passed.