3.1 Divisions of the Nervous System & Neural Pathways

Question 1

The Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 1

Includes the autonomic and somatic nervous system.

Question 2

The Somatic Nervous System

Answer 2

Contains sensory & motor neurons.
SENSORY neurons take impulses from receptors in sense organs to the
CNS. Motor neurons take impulses from the CNS to +EFFECTORS+ (muscles or glands).
The somatic nervous system is also responsible for bringing about certain
involuntary reflex actions (eg limb withdrawal).

Question 3

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Answer 3

Consists of the sympathetic & parasympathetic systems.

Question 4

Antagonistic

Answer 4

Parasympathetic and Sympathetic systems are described as Antagonistic as they have opposite effects on the same organs.

Question 5

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 5

Increases heart rate and breathing rate and slows down peristalsis and intestinal secretions.

Question 6

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 6

Decreases heart rate and breathing rate and increases peristalsis and intestinal secretions.

Question 7

Converging Neural Pathway

Answer 7

Several neurons sending an impulse to one receiving neuron in order to increase the intensity of the impulse e.g. used to see in the dark

Question 8

Diverging Neural Pathway

Answer 8

A motor neuron sending an impulse to multiple neurons in order to provide fine motor control and hypothalamus co-ordinated control of body temperature

Question 9

Reverberating Neural Pathway

Answer 9

Those which can repeat the original impulse