The nervous system and the endocrine system

Question 1

What is the nervous system?

Answer 1

A specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system.

Question 2

What is the two main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.

Question 3

Name the two sub-systems of the nervous system.

Answer 3

Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 4

What is the CNS made up of?

Answer 4

The brain and the spinal cord.

Question 5

Describe the CNS.

Answer 5

The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The brain is divided into two hemispheres.
The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. It is responsible for reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate.
It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS.

Question 6

Describe the PNS.

Answer 6

Transmits messages, via millions of neurones to and from the CNS. The PNS is further sub-divided into two systems: the Autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system.

Question 7

Name the two sub sections of the PNS.

Answer 7

Autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system.

Question 8

What is the function of the Autonomic nervous system?

Answer 8

Transmits info to and from internal bodily organs. operates involuntarily.
Governs all vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion and stress responses.
Has two main divisions - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Question 9

What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Answer 9

Controls muscle movement and receives info from sensory receptors.

Question 10

What is the function of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 10

prepares the body for fight or flight.
increases heart rate, sweating, breathing rate, etc.

Question 11

What is the function of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 11

returns the body to a resting state - rest and digest.
blood flow returns to digestive system, heart and breathing rates reduce to normal levels.

Question 12

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 12

One of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones are carried towards the target organs in the body.

Question 13

What is the fight or flight response?

Answer 13

The way an animal responds to stress as it becomes physiologically aroused to fight an aggressor.

Question 14

What is a gland?

Answer 14

An organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones.

Question 15

What is a hormone?

Answer 15

Chemical substance that circulates in the bloodstream and only affects target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly.

Question 16

What is adrenaline?

Answer 16

A hormone produced in the adrenal glands which is a part of the human body’s immediate stress response system. Has a strong effect on the cardiovascular system - stimulating heart rate.

Question 17

What does the endocrine system do?

Answer 17

Controls vital functioning.
Works slower than the nervous system but is more effective.
Done via glands in the body.
Uses hormones as chemical messages in the bloodstream. Affect any cell that have a receptor for that particular hormone.

Question 18

Name the main endocrine gland.

Answer 18

Pituitary gland, located in the brain.

Question 19

What does the pituitary gland do?

Answer 19

Controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body.

Question 20

How does the endocrine system control behaviour?

Answer 20

Behaviour is the result of hormones. Glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream, e.g. the thyroid gland produces thyroxine.

These hormones and the endocrine system allows us to grow, go through puberty and reproduce. However, this system also regulates other parts of our lives, e.g. the rhythm of our heart and how much we sleep.

Hormones increase or decrease specific processes within the cell to change the way the cell behaves.

Question 21

Name the 8 main parts of the endocrine system.

Answer 21

Pituitary gland, hypothalamus, pineal gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland (medulla), adrenal gland (cortex), ovaries, testes.

Question 22

Describe the function of the thyroid gland.

Answer 22

Releases thyroxine.
Responsible for regulating metabolism.

Question 23

Describe the function of the pineal gland.

Answer 23

releases melatonin.
Responsible for biological rhythms including the sleep-wake cycle.

Question 24

Describe the function of the hypothalamus.

Answer 24

Stimulates and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

Question 25

Describe the function of the ovaries.

Answer 25

Releases oestrogen.
Controls the regulation of the female reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Question 26

Describe the function of the testes.

Answer 26

Releases testosterone.
Responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty while also promoting muscle growth.

Question 27

Describe the function of the adrenal gland (medulla).

Answer 27

Releases adrenaline and noradrenaline.
The key hormone in the fight or flight response.

Question 28

Describe the function of the adrenal gland (cortex).

Answer 28

Releases cortisol.
Stimulates the release of glucose to provide the body with energy, while suppressing the immune system.