Chapter 2 Flashcards
Brain - purpose
- Considered ‘control’ centre
- Coordinates mental processes and behaviour and regulated bodily activity
Spinal cord - purpose
- Connects brain to PNS
Somatic Nervous System - purpose
- Transmits neutral messages related to voluntary motor movement
Contains: - Sensory / afferent neutral pathways
-Motor / efferent neutral pathways
Afferent pathways - meaning
Transmit sensory messages from the peripheral nervous system to the brain
Efferent pathways - meaning
Transmit motor messages from the brain to the PNS
Autonomic Nervous System - purpose
Regulate visceral muscles, organs and glands, and transmits neutral messages to the central nervous system about their activity
Sympathetic Nervous System - Purpose
- Prepares your body to respond to a threat or stressor
- This includes the fight/flight response
Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Maintains the optimal and balanced functioning of the visceral muscles, organs, and glands.
- Maintains homeostasis.
Some examples of sympathetic and parasympathetic reactions - 3 for each
P - pupils constrict
P - bladder constricts
P- bronchi constricts
S - heart rate increases
S - digestion relaxes
S - sweat glands increase production of precipitation
What are the 3 types of neurons
Motor, Sensory (afferent), Interneurons
Conscious Responses
Deliberate and voluntary actions that are intentionally initiated by the brain and performed by the body
Unconscious Response
Automatic and involuntary actions that are performed by the body independently of the brain.
2 major types of unconscious responses
- Physiological responses of the autonomic NS
- Spinal reflex
Conscious Response - Step 1
Sensory stimulus comes into contact with sensory receptors, which are nerve endings that detect internal sensations in the body and external sensations from the environment
