3.1 Nervous System and Parts of the Brain Flashcards
Two sections making up the nervous system
- Central Nervous System (CNS)
* Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Funtion of the nervous system
- Analyses sensory information
- Makes decisions regarding appropriate responses
- Makes motor responses by initiating muscular contractions and glandular secretions
Composition of the Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Brain - responsible for processing information
* Spinal Cord - links the brain to the PNS
Composition of the central core of the brain
- Medulla
* Cerebellum
Function of the Medulla
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Arousal
- Sleep
Function of the cerebellum
- Balance
- Posture
- Movement
Function of the cerebral cortex
- Centre for conscious thought
- Recieves sensory information
- Coordinates voluntary movements
- Makes decisions in light of experience
Function of the hypothalamus
- Inhibits/stimulates hormone secretions
- Regulates body temperature
- Regulates water concentration in the blood
Function of the limbic system
- Processes information for memories
* Influences emotional and motivational states
Definition of corpus callosum
A bridge of nerve fibres
Function of corpus callosum
Transfers information between the two cerebral hemispheres
Definition of localisation of brain functions
Different areas of the brain are used during different parts of a task
Sections of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
* Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
How the Autonomic Nervous System works
Works automatically without conscious control
Where impulses originate for the ANS
Medulla
The two systems withing the ANS
- Sympathetic
* Parasympathetic
How the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic systems work together
Antagonistically
What the Sympathetic Nervous System prepares the body for
Fight or flight
What the Parasympathetic Nervous System prepares the body for
Rest and digest
The effect the Sympathetic Nervous System has on the body
- Increases heart rate
- Increases breathinng rate
- Decreases rate of peristalsis
- Decreases production of digestive enzymes
The effect the Parasympathetic Nervous System has on the body
- Decreases heart rate
- Decreases breathinng rate
- Increases rate of peristalsis
- Increases production of digestive enzymes
How the Somatic Nervous System works
- Sensory neurons carry impulses to the CNS from the senses
* Motor neurons carry impulses from the CNS to the brain
Movements that the SNS controls
- Control the voluntary movement of the skeletal muscles
* Some involuntary reflex actions
Definition of homeostasis
The maintenance of the body’s internal environment despite changes in the body’s external environment
