Divisions of the Nervous System and Neural Pathways

Question 1

State the divisions of the nervous system and what they consist of

Answer 1

the central nervous system- contains the brain and spinal cord.
the peripheral nervous system- contains nerves/neurons in the somatic and autonomic nervous systems

Question 2

Describe what the somatic system consists of

Answer 2

The somatic nervous system contains sensory and motor neurons

Question 3

describe what the autonomic system consists of

Answer 3

sympathetic and parasympathetic systems

Question 4

Explain how the autonomic system works

Answer 4

The sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways work antagonistically. The sympathetic system speeds up heart rate and breathing rate while slowing down peristalsis and production of intestinal secretions. The parasympathetic systems change these in the opposite way.

Question 5

explain how converging neural pathways work and give an example

Answer 5

impulses from several neurons travel to one neuron. This increases the sensitivity to excitatory or inhibitory signals.
example- rods in the retina linked to light sensitivity

Question 6

explain how diverting neural pathways work and give an example

Answer 6

impulses from one neuron travel to several neurons so affecting more than one destination at the same time
example= motor control in fingers

Question 7

explain how reverberating neural pathways work and give an example

Answer 7

neurons later in the pathway link with earlier neurons, sending the impulse back through the pathway. This allows repeated stimulation of the pathway.
example= repetitive activities such as breathing