AOS 1 - NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTIONING

Question 1

what are the three main functions of the human nervous system

Answer 1

receive (information), process (information) and coordinate a response

Question 2

what is the CNS

Answer 2

consists of the brain and spinal cord and carries messages to and from the PNS.

Question 3

main function of CNS

Answer 3

process information received from the body’s internal and external environments and activate appropriate responses

Question 4

the brain

Answer 4

an intricate network of cells that processes info received from spinal cord, through neural pathways and coordinates a response. it receives and analyzes sensory info before coordinating a motor response.
CONTROL CENTRE, RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING WE THINK FEEL AND DO

Question 5

spinal cord

Answer 5

long thin bundle of nerve tissues that

• receives sensory info from the body and then sends it to the brain
• recieves motor info from the brain and sends to relevant body part to control MOG

Question 6

MOG

Answer 6

muscles, organs and glands.

the sites that are controlled by motor messages or sites that detect sensory info

Question 7

PNS

Answer 7

entire network of cells outside the CNS including Somatic NS and Autonomic NS

• carries sensory info to CNS from MOG
• carries motor info from CNS to MOG

Question 8

somatic NS

Answer 8

subdivision of PNS
S FOR SKELETAL
- the network of nerves connecting skeletal muscles to CNS
- sensory function is the sensory receptors detect, send info via sensory neural pathways to the brain
- motor function is the motor neurons transmit messages, activating or causing a response

Question 9

autonomic NS

Answer 9

subdivision of PNS
THINK AUTOMATIC
connects the CNS w/ visceral muscles (internal organs and glands)
-provides feedback to the brain about their activities
- self-reulating, with no conscious control or voluntary effort
- MAINTAINS HOMEOSTASIS AND KEEPS US ALIVE
- allows body to respond to threats
- consist of symp&parasymp

Question 10

sympathetic system

Answer 10

• release adrenaline
• increases the activity of MGO to prepare for vigorous activity or stressful or threatening situation
• fight flight or fright response triggered automatically when body believes it is threatened, forcing the individual to face the threat or remove themselves from the situation

Question 11

parasympathetic system

Answer 11

responsible for decreasing the activity of the MOG and restoring the body to homeostasis

Question 12

activities of the sympathetic system

Answer 12

accelerate HR, decrease the digestion, dilate pupils etc

Question 13

activities of the parasympathetic system

Answer 13

decrease HR, increase the digestion, constrict pupils etc

Question 14

voluntary response vs involuntary response

Answer 14

a voluntary/conscious response is controlled by our Somatic NS, and this requires attention and it is a goal-directed movement, on the other hand, an involuntary response is controlled by the autonomic NS and it happens automatically without awareness.

Question 15

unconscious response

Answer 15

the ANS directs unconscious functioning such as heart rate and temperature to help keep our body in a state of homeostasis. receptors in the body receive sensory info from the environment and ANS responds appropriately ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL

Question 16

reflex arc

Answer 16

ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL
the sensory info is sent from the sensory receptors and transmits it to the CNS and before it reaches the brain, a response is coordinated and reflected back from the spinal cord with no input from the brain allowing faster reaction time to avoid danger and minimise harm.

Question 17

spinal reflex process

Answer 17

you step in hot water.
S. SENSORY neurons transmit a SENSORY message about hot water to the spinal cord
I. INTERNEURONS in the spinal cord relay the message to the motor neurons
M. MOTOR neurons transmit the message along the MOTOR pathway to foot and leg muscles causing withdrawal reflex and jumping out of water.
S. while the spinal reflex occurs the SENSORY neurons are simultaneously transmitting the messages further up the spinal cord to the brain for processing.
B. the message is received by the relevant part of the BRAIN, the somatosensory cortex, it is then interpreted by the BRAIN as pain in your foot, “ouch” you are now aware of what has happened

Question 18

role of the neuron

Answer 18

the neuron is an individual specialised nerve cell that specialises in receiving, processing and transmitting information. neurons communicate with each other and MOG.

Question 19

neuron communications

Answer 19

ELECTROCHEMICAL.
electric energy is used to communicate WITHIN a single neuron and then
chemical energy is used to communicate BETWEEN neurons through the synaptic gap.

Question 20

dendrites

Answer 20

DETECT AND RECIEVE
the extension of the neuron that detects and receives information from a pre-synaptic neuron. transmits said info to the soma

Question 21

axon

Answer 21

BODY AND CARRIES INFO

transmits neural information away from the soma down the neuron

Question 22

axon terminal

Answer 22

TRANSMIT ACROSS SYNAPSE

small branches at the end of the axon which transmit the message to the next message. they also have terminal buttons.

Question 23

terminal buttons

Answer 23

SECRETE

small sacs that secrete neurotransmitters when an action potential is sent down the axon,

Question 24

myelin sheath

Answer 24

INSULATE AND PROTECT

facilitates transmission of information down the axon, speeds it up and stops interference from other neurons

Question 25

sensory/afferent neurons

Answer 25

send sensory info TO CNS, AWAY from PNS

Question 26

motor/efferent neurons

Answer 26

send motor info TO PNS, AWAY from CNS

Question 27

interneurons

Answer 27

found throughout CNS, sends messages between motor and sensory neurons, as they do not communicate directly.