Central & Peripheral Nervous Systems Flashcards
Define: central nervous system
Comprised of the brain and spinal cord; Integrates and coordinates info from PNS and sends info to PNS (REFINE)
What is the purpose of the spinal cord?
- Receives sensory information from PNS, and sends to brain
* Receives motor information from the brain, and sends to the PNS.
Describe the structure of the spinal cord.
Cable-like column of nerve fibres which extends from the base of the brain to the lower back
Encased in vertebrae (series of bones)
Do different parts of the spinal cord have different functions?
Yes. Upper section communicates between brain and upper body parts (head, neck, arms) and the lower section between the brain and lower parts (legs, toes and feet)
What reflex response can the spinal cord initiate?
The spinal reflex (reflex arc)
Define: spinal reflex
an involuntary and automatic response to a usually harmful stimuli, in which the neural messages bypass the brain by travelling through interneurons in the spinal cord.
In the spinal reflex, is sensory information also relayed back to the brain?
YES, this is where pain is sensed
Why is the spinal reflex an adaptive (survival enhancing) response?
Because the message is transferred quicker then if sent to brain (unless stimulus is in face)
What body parts comprise the PNS?
Entire network of nerves outside the CNS.
Purpose of the peripheral nervous system?
Carries information about the body’s internal (internal organs) and external (sensory organs) environment to the CNS, and from the CNS to the muscles, organs and glands.
What are the 2 types of neural pathways in the spinal cord?
afferent tracts for sensory information; efferent tracts for motor information.
What is the effect of damage to the spinal cord?
the brain will lose sensory input from the body and will lost motor control of the body.
• The higher it is severed, the worse the damage as more connections are cut.
