Unit 3 AOS1 Flashcards
How do the different subdivisions of the central and peripheral nervous systems work to respond to sensory stimuli and coordinate a response?
The different subdivisions of the nervous system work together to detect sensory stimuli, process the information, and coordinate an appropriate response to that stimulus. The PNS detects and transmits sensory information to the CNS, which processes and integrates the information and sends motor commands back out through the PNS to coordinate a response.
3 Roles of the nervous system
Reception of sensory information
Processing of received information
Response to received information
What is the purpose of the central nervous system?
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and the spinal cord, responsible for transmitting neural messages to and receiving neural messages from the peripheral nervous system.
What is the brain?
The body’s information centre is responsible for coordinating and processing actions, thoughts and behaviour.
What is the spinal cord?
A long cable of nerve tissue that extends from the brain, connecting it to the peripheral nervous system. It is responsible for carrying motor information from the brain, and sensory information from the body.
What are the 2 main functions of the spinal cords?
Carry sensory information, such as pain, heat, or an itch on your skin, from the various areas of the body, such as the arms, legs, and external organs, to the brain for processing.
Carry motor (movement) information from the brain to the relevant parts of the body, such as the muscles, glands, and organs, so that action can be taken.
What is the 2 main purpose of the peripheral nervous system?
Carrying information to the spinal cord
Carrying information from the spinal cord
What are 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
Somatic NS
Autonomic NS
What is the somatic nervous system?
The somatic NS is the network of nerves that carries sensory information received at receptor sites in the skin, muscles, joints and tendons to the central NS via sensory neurons.
It also carries motor information from the central NS to the voluntary muscles of the body via motor neurons.
What are the 2 main functions of the Somatic Nervous system?
Receive any sensations from your external environment via sensory neurons in the skin or sense organs (sensory function).
Make any voluntary movements or actions to respond to your external environment via motor neurons connecting to the muscles (motor function)
What is sensory information carried along?
Sensory neural information in the body is carried along bundles of nerves known as AFFERENT TRACTS.
What is motor information carried along?
Motor neural information in the body is carried along bundles of nerves known as EFFERENT TRACTS.
What is the role of the interneuron?
Interneurons transfer neural messages between sensory neurons and motor neurons.
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for regulating visceral muscles and glands, such as the heart, stomach and liver, transmits neural messages to the central nervous system about their activity and initiates the responses of the body without conscious control.
What are the three divisions of the autonomic NS?
The Sympathetic Nervous System, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Enteric Nervous system
What is the role of the sympathetic NS?
Its primary role is to prepare the body for “fight or flight” responses to stress or danger.
- Increases heart rate and blood pressure
- It dilates the pupils and opens the airways to improve vision and breathing.
- Decreases activity in non-essential organs such as the reproductive system.
What is the role of the parasympathetic NS?
The primary role is the opposition to the sympathetic nervous system to maintain homeostasis and promote rest and digestion.
- Decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
- Constricts the pupils and constricts the airways to promote relaxation and rest.
What is the role of the Enteric NS?
Its primary role is to regulate the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Regulates the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the digestive tract
- Controls the secretion of enzymes, mucus, and hormones that are necessary for digestion
- Coordinates the movement of food through the digestive tract
- Modulates the sensation of hunger
What is conscious awareness?
When awareness is required for a change in some element of the physical body.
What is unconscious awareness?
An involuntary response by the ANS made without awareness
