BIOPSYCHOLOGY The Nervous System Flashcards
What is a nervous system
A specialised network of cells in the human body
What are the two functions of the nervous system?
- collect, process and respond to information
- co ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What are the two sub systems
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
Two parts of the central nervous system
Brain and spinal cord
Explain the brain in the central nervous system
Centre of all conscious awareness
Cerebral cortex - the brains outer layer
Explain the spinal cord in the central nervous system
Extension to the brain
Passes messages to and from the brain and
connects nerves to peripheral nervous system
Connected to different parts of body by pairs of spinal nerves
Explain what the peripheral nervous system does
Transmits messages via millions of neutrons to and from the CNS
Sends info to the CNS to rest of the body from outside world
Transmits messages from the CNS to rest of body and from body back to the CNS
What is the peripheral nervous system sub divided into
Semantic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Explain the somatic nervous system
Controls muscle neurons
Transmits info from receptor cells in the sense organs to the CNS
Recieves info from CNS that directs muscles to act via motor neurones
Under conscious controls
Explain the autonomic nervous system
Controls vital functions in the body
Transmits info to and from internal body organs
Autonomic means the system is operated involuntarily
The autonomic nervous system is divided into….
Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
Explain the sympathetic nervous system
Has stimulating effect
Involved in responses that help us deal with emergencies
Neurones travel to virtually every organ and gland
Slows down the less important bodily processes in emergencies
Explain the parasympathetic nervous system
Relaxes individual after emergency has passed
Slows the heartbeat down and reduces blood pressure
Other functions slowed down start again
Normal resting state
