Unit 1 - Topic 1.2 - Overview of the Nervous System Flashcards
(6 cards)
Central Nervous System (CNS)
What body parts are included?
What is its function?
Includes the brain and spinal cord.
It’s the main control center of the body, responsible for processing information and coordinating all bodily activities
Ex: Moving hands or thinking and feeling emotions
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
What is its function?
Connects the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM to the rest of the body
It’s like the body’s communication lines, carrying messages back and forth between the brain/spinal cord and the muscles, organs and skin
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
What is its function?
A part of the peripheral nervous system, controls the body functions that we don’t have to think about like breathing, heartbeat and digestion. It includes the SYMPATHETIC and PARASYMPATHETIC nervous systems
Sympathetic nervous system
What is its function?
How does it affect the body?
Is the part of the autonomic nervous system that gets the body ready to deal with stress or emergencies. This is known as the “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” response.
It speeds up heart rate, increases breathing and gets energy flowing.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
What is its function?
How does it affect the body
helps the body calm down after the stress is gone. It’s often called the “REST AND DIGEST” system,
It slows down heart rate and helps with digestion and relaxation.
Somatic Nervous System
What is its function
How does it affect the body?
Controls voluntary movements
Ex: picking up your phone, walking or writing
It lets your brain send signals to muscles when you want to do something on PURPOSE
