Biopsych -> Divisions Of The Nervous System

Question 1

The Central Nervous System (CNS)

Answer 1

Consists of the brain and spinal cord. It has two main functions, the control of behaviour and the regulation of the body’s physiological processes. In order to do this the brain must be able to receive information from the sensory receptors (eyes, ears, skin etc.) and be
able to send messages to the muscles and glands of the body in response.

Question 2

Cerebrum:

Answer 2

This is the largest part of the brain. It has four lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital), and is spilt into the right and left hemispheres.

Question 3

Cerebellum:

Answer 3

Responsible for motor skills, balance and coordinating the muscles to allow precise movements.

Question 4

Diencephalon:

Answer 4

Contains the thalamus (regulates consciousness, sleep and alertness) and the hypothalamus (regulates body temperature, stress response and hunger).

Question 5

Brain stem:

Answer 5

Regulates breathing and heart rate

Question 6

The Spinal Cord

Answer 6

The main function of the spinal cord is to relay information between the brain and the rest of the body. This allows the brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes, such as digestion and breathing, and co-ordinate voluntary movement. The spinal cord is connected to different parts of the body by pairs of spinal nerves, which connect to specific muscles and glands.

Question 7

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 7

Consists of the autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system and is responsible for transmitting messages to and from the central nervous system (e.g. the brain or spinal cord).

Question 8

The Somatic Nervous System

Answer 8

Responsible for transmitting information from sense organs to the central nervous system and transmitting information from the central nervous system to effectors (e.g. muscles and glands). The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements and is under conscious control. It has sensory and motor pathways. It controls skeletal muscle

Question 9

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Answer 9

Responsible for transmitting information to and from internal bodily organs. The ANS is involuntary. It only has motor pathways and it controls smooth muscles and the internal organs and glands of the body. Controlled by the brain stem.

Question 10

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS):

Answer 10

Works alongside the endocrine system to bring about physiological arousal in the fight or flight response. It is activated when a person is stressed. Heart rate and breathing increase, digestion stops, salivation reduces and pupils dilate (fight or flight response).

Question 11

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS):

Answer 11

the parasympathetic nervous system works alongside the endocrine system to return the body to its resting state after fight or flight. Heart rate and breathing reduce, digestion starts, salivation increases, and pupils constrict. This is known as the rest and digest response.