Lesson 1 - Nervous System

Question 1

CNS

Answer 1

• Consists of brain and spinal chord
• 2 main functions - control of behaviour and regulation of the body’s physiological processes
• For this to happen, brain receives information from sensory receptors and send messages to muscles and gland

Question 2

Brain

Answer 2

• Cerebrum - 4 lobes, split down the middle
• Cerebellum - Responsible for motor skills, balance and coordinating the muscles
• Diencephalon - Contains the thalamus and hypothalamus
• Brain stem - Regulates breathing and heart rate

Question 3

Spinal Chord

Answer 3

• Relays information between the brain and the rest of the body
• Allows brain to monitor and regulate bodily processes
• Connected to different parts of body by pairs of spinal nerves that connect to muscles and glands
• If damaged, body areas connected to it by nerves below the damage will be cut off and stop functioning

Question 4

PNS

Answer 4

• Transmits messages via neurons to and from the CNS

- 2 Divisions - somatic NS and the autonomic NS

Question 5

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 5

• Controls voluntary movements and is under conscious control
• Connects sense with the CNS and has sensory pathways AND motor pathways
• Controls skeletal muscles
• Somatic nervous system is controlled by motor cortex

Question 6

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 6

• Involuntary
• ONLY has motor pathways
• Controls smooth muscles, internal organs and glands
• Controlled by brain stem

Question 7

Sympathetic Nervous System (FoF)

Answer 7

• Activated when a person is stressed
• Heart rate and breathing increase, digestion stops, salivation reduces, pupils dilate, and flow of blood is diverted from surface of skin

Question 8

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 8

• Activated when body is relaxing and so conversing energy

- Heart rate and breathing reduce, digestion starts, salivation increases, and pupils constrict