Booklets 1, 2 and 3 Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
The specialised network of cells in the human body that makes up our primary internal communications system.
What are the two main functions of the nervous system?
To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
Coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What are the two sub sections of the nervous system?
The central nervous system (CNS)
The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What are the four main regions of the brain?
The temporal lobe
The parietal lobe
The frontal lobe
The occipital lobe
What is the function of the temporal lobe?
Processes auditory information
What is the function of the parietal lobe?
It integrates information from the different senses and plays an important role in spatial navigation
What is the function of the frontal lobe?
It is associated with higher order functions such as language and memory but also includes planning, decision-making, abstract reasoning and logic.
What is the function of the occipital lobe?
It processes visual information
How does the brain receive information?
Through sensory receptors, such as the eyes ears and skin
What is the cerebral cortex (grey matter)?
It is the brains outer layer, it is highly developed in humans and is what distinguishes us from those of animals.
What is the brain divided into?
The left and right hemisphere
What connects the brain and the spinal cord?
The brainstem, it also controls involuntary processes such as breathing.
What is the role of the spinal cord?
It transfers messages to and from the brain and the rest of the body and connect nerves to the PNS. It is also responsible for simple reflex action such as jumping out of your chair.
How does the PNS transmit messages?
Via millions of neurons two and from the central nervous system.
What are the two subdivisions of the PNS?
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
It maintains communication between the central nervous system and the outside world by controlling muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
What does the somatic nervous system consist of?
Sensory receptors, which carry information to the spinal cord and brain
Motor pathways which allow the brain to control movement
It operates the voluntary control of body movements
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
It plays an important role in homeostasis, and it is responsible for vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing. It transmits information from and to the internal body organs such as the liver and lungs. It operates autonomically, involuntarily.
What are the two components of the autonomic nervous system?
The sympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system
The actions of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are mostly antagonistic, what does this mean?
They usually work in opposition to each other
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
It is involved in responses that prepare the body for fight or flight. E.g. Increasing heart rate, blood pressure et cetera.
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
It returns the body to its normal resting state.
What is the first thing that happens when the body experiences a stressful event (e.g something jumps out at you)?
The ANS switches from its normal resting state (parasympathetic state) to the physiologically arouse sympathetic state.
How is adrenaline stimulated and what does it do?
When there is a stressful event, the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland which triggers the ANS to change from resting state to the SNS.
The SNS triggers adrenaline to be released from the adrenal Medúlla into the bloodstream. Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body such as increased heart rate and pupil dilation.
These changes create the physiological arousal necessary for the fight or flight response.
