Biopsychology: Divisions Of The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the Nervous System made of?
A network of nerve cells (neurones) within an organism.
What is the function of the Nervous System?
Its function is to coordinate the actions of an organism by allowing information to be received for the outside world and exchanged between different parts of the body.
What is the function of the Central Nervous System?
> To provide centralised control of the body by processing information received from other primary divisions within the nervous system then coordinating how the body will respond.
What is the function of the brain?
> Main organ of the CNS
Its function is to coordinate the actions of the body by receiving information, then sending instructions to the PNS.
What are the TWO main functions of the Spinal Cord?
- It is a transmitter of information between the brain and the PNS, sending sensory information from the PNS to the brain and from the brain to the muscles.
- It coordinates reflex actions.
What is the function of the Peripheral Nervous System?
> It is the portion of the nervous system outside of the brain and the spinal cord.
Its primary function is to transmit information from the outside world to the CNS and coordinate the actions of muscles and organs in the body, sometimes in response to instructions from the CNS.
What are the TWO subdivisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Somatic Nervous System
What are the TWO key functions of the Somatic Nervous System (SNS)?
- Receive information from the outside world via senses, sends this info to the CNS (spinal cord than brain).
- Coordinate voluntary actions via the muscles, by receiving information from the CNS.
What is the function of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Through the control of organs and glands the ANS regulates the body’s automatic functions (e.g breathing, heart rate, digestion or sexual arousal). This operates unconsciously.
What are the TWO sub divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?
- Sympathetic: responsible for regulating the body’s fight or flight.
- Parasympathetic: responsible for regulating the bodily processes that occur when the body’s rest and digest.
Outline the physiological changes of the Sympathetic Nervous System.
Stimulates excitement
> Increased heart rate
> Increased breathing rate
> Dilated pupils
> Inhibits digestion
> Increased sweating
> Inhibits saliva production
Outline the physiological changes associated with the Parasympathetic nervous system.
Dampens Excitement
> Decreased heart rate
> Decreased breathing rate
> Constructed pupils
> Stimulates Digestion
> Decreases sweating
> Stimulates saliva production
Compare the Similarities of the CNS and the PNS.
> Both part of the nervous system, therefore play a role in coordinating actions of the organism.
Both send and receive signals.
Compare Similarities of the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous System.
> Both Regulated by the CNS — since both are part of the PNS, this part of the Nervous System is regulated by the CNS. Meaning both somatic and autonomic respond to instructions from the CNS.
Compare Similarities of the Brain and the Spinal Cord.
> Both receive and process information from the PNS. After it is sent to the brain where it is processed further.
Both coordinate actions with the body — spinal cord coordinates actions in the body for reflex actions whilst the brain coordinates all other actions.
