The Nervous System & The Endocrine System

Question 1

What is the nervous system?

Answer 1

A network of cells in the human body that is our primary internal communication system

Question 2

What are the functions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

1. To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
2. To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body

Question 3

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

Answer 3

It is made up of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 4

What does the brain do as part of the CNS?

Answer 4

It is the centre of all conscious awareness.

The outer layer of the brain is highly developed in humans and distinguishes our higher mental functions from animals

Question 5

What does the spinal cord do as part of the CNS?

Answer 5

It is an extension of the brain.

It is responsible for reflex actions

Question 6

What is peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 6

It transmits messages via neurones to and from the CNS

It is divided into the autonomic nervous system (ANS) & the somatic nervous system (SNS).

Question 7

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? - use for comparison

Answer 7

• Controls vital functions ( breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses)
• Control centres are in the brain stem
• Contains motor pathways
• It has 2 divisions - sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 8

What is the somatic nervous system (SNS)? - use for comparison

Answer 8

• Controls muscle movement & receives information from sensory receptors
• Carries commands from the motor cortex
• Contains sensory & motor pathways

Question 9

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 9

It instructs glands to release hormones into the bloodstream

Question 10

What does the thyroid gland do?

Answer 10

• Produces thyroxine
• Affects cells in the heart & increases heart rate
• Affects other cells to increase metabolic rates which affects growth rates

Question 11

What does the adrenal gland do?

Answer 11

• Produces adrenaline
• Causes physiological changes - increased heart rate/breathing rate
• Vital for fight or flight

Question 12

What is the fight or flight response? (SAPAP)

Answer 12

• Stressor occurs
• ANS changes from a parasympathetic (resting) state to a sympathetic state (physiologically aroused)
• Pituitary gland releases ACTH
• ACTH affects cells in the adrenal gland - causes them to release adrenaline
• Physiological changes occur in the body (increased heart rate, increased breathing rate , pupils dilates , inhibits digestion , inhibits saliva production and contracts the rectum) caused by adrenaline
  
  • creates physiological arousal needed for fight or flight