1.2 Organization of the Human Nervous System

Question 1

What are the 3 types of nerve cells in the nervous system? What is the function of each?

Answer 1

1. Sensory neurons: transmit sensory information from receptors to the spinal cord and brain.
2. Motor neurons: transmit motor information from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands.
3. Interneurons: found between other neurons; they are the most numerous type of the 3. Located predominantly in the brain and spinal cord.

Question 2

The nervous system can be broadly divided into which two primary components?

Answer 2

The central nervous system (CNS: brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS: nerve tissue and fibers outside the brain and spinal cord).

Question 3

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) can be divided into what two categories?

Answer 3

Somatic / Autonomic

Question 4

The somatic nervous system consists of what?

Answer 4

Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) neurons distributed throughout the skin, joints, and muscles.

Question 5

The autonomic nervous system controls what major involuntary processes?

Answer 5

1. Respiration
2. Heartbeat
3. Digestion
4. Glandular secretions

Question 6

What are the 2 subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 6

Sympathetic / Parasympathetic

Question 7

True or false: the sympathetic nervous system can accelerate heartrate and inhibit digestion.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

True or false: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are antagonistic to one another.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What neurotransmitter is responsible for parasympathetic responses in the body?

Answer 9

Acetylcholine

Question 10

Does the sympathetic nervous system increase or decrease blood glucose levels?

Answer 10

Increases

Question 11

The sympathetic nervous system releases what hormone into the bloodstream?

Answer 11

Epinephrine