5.1.5 - animal responses Flashcards
central nervous system (CNS)
this consists of the brain and the spinal cord
peripheral nervous system (PNS)
this consists of all the neurones that connect the CNS to the rest of the body - sensory neurones and the motor neurones
somatic nervous system
this system is under conscious control - when you voluntary decide to do something
autonomic nervous system
works constantly; under subconscious control and is used when the body does something automatically without you deciding to do it - it is involuntary
how is the autonomic nervous system split?
sympathetic and parasympathetic
sympathetic nervous system
increasing activity
parasympathetic nervous system
decreasing activity
role of the brain
processing all the information collected by receptor cells about changes in the internal and external environment
role of the cerebrum
receives sensory information, interprets it and sends impulses along motor neurones to effectors to produce a response
structure of the cerebrum
highly convoluted, increasing its surface area and its capacity for complex activity
split into two hemispheres
role of cerebellum
concerned with the control of muscular movement, body posture and balance - does not initiate it, but coordinates.
role of the medulla oblongata
contains regulatory centres of the autonomic nervous system, controlling reflex activities
role of the hypothalamus
main controlling region for the autonomous nervous system:
- controlling complex patterns of behaviour
- monitoring the composition of blood plasma
- producing hormones
where is the pituitary gland found
base of the hypothalamus
anterior pituitary
produces 6 hormones including FSH
posterior pituitary
stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus, such as ADH
reflex action
the body responding to situations without concsious thought, causing a faster response, preventing or minimising damage to the body
steps of the reflex arc
- receptor - detects and creates an action potential in sensory neurone
- sensory neurone - carries impulse to spinal cord
- relay neurone - connects the sensory neurone to motor within spinal cord
- motor neurone - carries impulse to effector
the spinal cord
column of nervous tissue running up the back. it is surrounded by the spine for protection
knee jerk reflex
leg is tapped just below the kneecap and stretches the tendon acting as a stimulus
this causes a reflex arc that causes the thigh to contract at the same time as the leg kicking
absence of knee jerk reflex
nervous problems
blinking reflex - corneal
if the cornea is stimulated it will blink to keep it safe from damage
optical reflex
blinking as a reflex to over bright light.