ch 3- nervous system functioning Flashcards
CNS- central nervous system
the brain and spinal cord: processes and coordinates responses to sensory stimuli
brain
a complex structure that receives and processes sensory stimuli from the body and coordinates responses, including voluntary movements, emotions and conscious thought.
spinal cord
a dense bundle of nerves that carry sensory information from the body to the brain and motor information from the brain to the body
spinal reflex
involuntary and unconscious response to a stimulus involving the spinal cord, occuring without input from the brain
sensory receptor
a sensory nerve ending producing an afferent or sensory impulse when stimulated
sensory neuron
a nerve cell that carries sensory signals throughout the nervous system
interneurons
a nerve cell in the spinal cord connecting motor and sensory neurons by relaying information between the two
motor neuron
a nerve cell that transmits motor impulses from the spinal cord to the skeletal and smooth muscles
PNS- peripheral nervous system
all the nerves outside of the CNS, carrying messages between the CNS and muscles, organs and glands throughout the body
SNS- somatic nervous system
subdivision of the PNS carrying sensory information to the CNS and motor information to the body
what is the afferent role of the SNS
afferent refers to sensory- it carries sensory information gathered by our five senses towards the CNS
what is the efferent role of the SNS
efferent refers to motor- it carries motor commands from the CNS to skeletal muscles, enabling voluntary movements
ANS- autonomic nervous system
a subdivision of the PNs that controls the body’s internal environment in an autonomous or self regulated manner
sympathetic nervous system
a subdivision of the ANS increasing our arousal and readying the body for a quick response
parasympathetic nervous system
a subdivision of the ANS controlling the body’s internal environment in an autonomous or self regulated manner
unconscious response
any response of our nervous system that doesn’t require awareness
conscious reponse
any response of the nervous system requiring awareness