KA1 Divisions of the nervous system

Question 1

What is the structure of the central nervous system?

Answer 1

The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 2

What is the structure of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 2

The PNS consists of the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system

Question 3

What is the somatic nervous system?

Answer 3

It is voluntary
It is the control of skeletal muscles
It contains sensory and motor neurons

Question 4

What do sensory and motor neurons do in the CNS?

Answer 4

Sensory neurons take impulses from sense organs to the CNS. Motor neurons take impulses from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Question 5

What is the autonomic system?

Answer 5

It is involuntary

It is the control of smooth muscle

Question 6

What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 6

Sympathetic nervous system - fight or flight

Parasympathetic- rest and digest

Question 7

What does antagonistic mean?

Answer 7

The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are antagonistic. This means that they affect many of the same body structures exerting equal but opposite effects on them.

Question 8

What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on heart rate, breathing rate, peristalsis and intestinal secretions?

Answer 8

Speeds up heart rate
Increases breathing rate
Decreases peristalsis rate
Decreases the production of intestinal secretions

Question 9

What are the three types of neural pathways?

Answer 9

Converging
Diverging
Reverberating

Question 10

Converging

Answer 10

In a converging neural pathway, impulses from several neurons travel to one neuron.
This increases the sensitivity to excitatory or inhibitory signals.
Eg. The convergence of neurons from rods in the retina so increasing sensitivity to low levels of illumination through summation

Question 11

Diverging

Answer 11

In a diverging neural pathway, impulses from one neuron travel to several neurons so affecting more than one destination at the same time.
Eg. The divergence of motor neurons which allows fine motor control of fingers

Question 12

Reverberating

Answer 12

In a reverberating pathway, neurons later in the pathway link with earlier neurons, sending the impulse back through the pathway. This allows repeated stimulation of the pathway.
Eg. The use of reverberating pathways in repetitive activities such as breathing