L1 - The Nervous System Flashcards
1
Q
CNS
A
The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord
two main functions:
- the control of behaviour
- the regulation of the body’s physiological processes
2
Q
CNS work?
A
In order to do this the brain must be able to receive information from the sensory receptors (eyes, ears, skin etc.) + be able to send messages to the muscles and glands of the body in response
3
Q
4 main areas of the brain
A
- cerebrum
- cerebellum
- diencephalon
- brain stem
4
Q
Cerebrum
A
- largest part of the brain
- 4 lobes + split down the middle into two halves = right + left hemisphere
5
Q
Cerebellum
A
- responsible for motor skills, balancing + coordinating the muscles to allow precise movements
6
Q
Diencephalon
A
- contains the thalamus (regulates consciousness, sleep, alertness)
- contains the hypothalamus (regulates body temperature, stress response + hunger and thirst)
7
Q
Brain stem
A
- regulates breathing + heart rate
8
Q
Spinal cord
A
- relay info between the brain + rest of the body
- allows brain to monitor + regulate bodily processes e.g. digestion + breathing + coordinate voluntary movement
- connected to different parts of the body by pairs of spinal nerves = connect to specific muscles + glands
- if damaged, body areas connected to it by nerves below the damage will be cut off + stop functioning
9
Q
PNS
A
- peripheral nervous system consists of the nervous system without the brain and spinal cord
- transmits messages via Neurons to and from the CNS
2 divisions:
- somatic nervous system
- autonomic nervous system
10
Q
SNS
A
Somatic Nervous System
- controls voluntary movements + under conscious control
- has sensory pathways + motor pathways
- controls skeletal muscles
- controlled by the motor cortex
11
Q
ANS
A
Autonomic Nervous System
- involuntary (not under conscious control)
- only has motor pathways
- controls smooth muscles + internal organs + glands of body
- controlled by the brain stem
12
Q
Two systems in ANS
A
Autonomic Nervous System:
- SNS = sympathetic nervous system
- PSNS = parasympathetic nervous system
13
Q
SNS (ANS)
A
Sympathetic Nervous System
- activated when person is stressed (fight ir flight response)
- HR + BR increase
- digestion stops
- salivation reduces
- pupils dilate
- flow of blood is diverted from surface of skin
14
Q
PSNS (ANS)
A
Parasympathetic Nervous System
- activated when body is relaxing + conserving energy
- opposite of fight or flight response
