L1- The Nervous System

Question 1

what is the central nervous system and its function?

Answer 1

consists of the brain and spinal cord.
Two main functions:
- control of behaviour.
- regulation of body’s physiological processes.
To do this the brain must be able to receive info from sensory receptors and be able to send messages to muscles and glands in response.

Question 2

what are the 4 areas of the brain?

Answer 2

1. Cerebrum - largest part. Has four lobes and is split down the middle into 2 parts called hemispheres.
2. Cerebellum- responsible for motor skills, balance and coordinating muscles for precise movements.
3. Diencephalon- contains thalamus and hypothalamus.
4. Brain stem- regulates breathing and heart rate.

Question 3

What do the thalamus and hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 3

Thalamus- consciousness, sleep, alertness.

Hypothalamus- body temp, hunger/thirst, stress response.

Question 4

Functions of the spinal cord?

Answer 4

Main function is to relay information between the brain and rest of the body.

• allows brain to monitor/regulate bodily processes like digestion and breathing.
• is connected to different parts of body by pairs of spinal nerves.
• if it is damaged, body areas connected to it by nerves below the damage will be cut off and stop functioning.

Question 5

What is the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 5

• consists of the nervous system throughout the rest of the body.
• the PNS transmits messages via neurons to and from the CNS.
  Has 2 divisions:
• somatic nervous system.
• autonomic nervous system

Question 6

what is the somatic nervous system?

Answer 6

Controls voluntary movements.

• is under conscious control.
• connects the senses with the CNS.
• has sensory and motor pathways.
• controls skeletal muscles.
• controlled by the motor cortex.

Question 7

What is the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 7

• not under conscious control.
• only has motor pathways.
• controls smooth muscle, internal organs and glands.
• controlled by the brain stem.

Question 8

What are the 2 parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 8

1. Sympathetic nervous system- activated under stress (fight/flight response). Heart rate and breathing increases, digestion stops, pupils dilate, salivation stops, flow of blood diverted from skin surface.
2. Parasympathetic nervous system- activated under relaxation. Conserves energy. Heart rate and breathing reduced. Digestion starts, salivation increases, pupils constrict.