3.1 Flashcards
Branches of the nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS)
The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Role of nervous system
Collection of nerve and specialised cells that generate and transmit signals throughout the body
What does the CNS consist of
The brain and spinal cord
What does the PNS consist of
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system do
Somatic system contains sensory and motor neurons. It’s main function is to control conscious processes, speaking, walking. It also controls the reflex response.
What does autonomic nervous system do
The autonomic nervous system controls automatic, unconscious functions of the body eg, endocrine gland control, vasodilation and constriction, pertistalsis, temp regulation
What are the branches of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
What is sympathetic nervous system and what does it do
Prepares the body for action. Also known as triggering the flight or fight response.
Increases heart and breathing rate, while slowing peristalsis and the release of digestive enzymes
What is the parasympathetic nervous system and what does it do
Generally relaxed the body. Also known as rest and digest.
Slows down heart and breathing rate and increases peristalsis and release of digestive enzymes.
The sympathetic releases _ under stress. This speeds up the pacemakers
Noradrenaline
The parasympathetic releases _. This slows down the pacemakers
Acetylcholine
What is a neural pathway
The route a signal takes through the nervous system
What are the types of neural pathways.
Converging
Diverging
Reverberating
Explain converging neural pathways
In a converging neural pathway, several neurons can pass signals to one particular neuron.
This means several weak signals can come together to generate an impulse, meaning increased sensitivity
Example of converging neural pathways
Rods in the retina.
