6.1: The peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 1

Identify the two components of the peripheral nervous system and explain two differences in their organisation and/or functions (4 marks)

Answer 1

The two components of the peripheral nervous system are the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system

Question 2

Identify the two components of the peripheral nervous system and explain two differences in their organisation and/or functions (4 marks).
The two components of the peripheral nervous system are the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Answer 2

The autonomic nervous system controls internal organs and glands of the body, whereas the somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscles and movement

Question 3

You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you. Your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your friend call out, ‘‘Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together.’’ Your breathing slows down and after a couple of minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.

Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above in your answer (4 marks)

Answer 3

The sympathetic nervous system responds to a perceived threat and so produces physiological changes that prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response

Question 4

You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you. Your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your friend call out, ‘‘Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together.’’ Your breathing slows down and after a couple of minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.

Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above in your answer (4 marks).
The sympathetic nervous system responds to a perceived threat and so produces physiological changes that prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, such as what?

Answer 4

The sympathetic nervous system responds to a perceived threat and so produces physiological changes that prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, such as adrenaline being released

Question 5

You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you. Your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your friend call out, ‘‘Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together.’’ Your breathing slows down and after a couple of minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.

Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above in your answer (4 marks).
The sympathetic nervous system responds to a perceived threat and so produces physiological changes that prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, such as adrenaline being released.

Answer 5

This is shown by ‘your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds’

Question 6

You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you. Your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your friend call out, ‘‘Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together.’’ Your breathing slows down and after a couple of minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.

Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above in your answer (4 marks).
The sympathetic nervous system responds to a perceived threat and so produces physiological changes that prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, such as adrenaline being released.
This is shown by ‘your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds.’

Answer 6

The parasympathetic nervous system restores normal physiological functioning when the threat has passed

Question 7

You are walking home at night. It is dark and you hear someone running behind you. Your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds. Then you hear your friend call out, ‘‘Hey, wait for me! We can walk back together.’’ Your breathing slows down and after a couple of minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend.

Explain the actions of the autonomic nervous system. Refer to the description above in your answer (4 marks).
The sympathetic nervous system responds to a perceived threat and so produces physiological changes that prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, such as adrenaline being released.
This is shown by ‘your breathing quickens, your mouth dries and your heart pounds.’
The parasympathetic nervous system restores normal physiological functioning when the threat has passed.

Answer 7

This is shown by ‘your breathing slows down and after a couple of minutes you are walking home calmly with your friend’