nervous system Flashcards
central nervous system
contains the spine and brain, the center of the body
automatic nervous system
controls involuntary functions
somatic nervous system
controls voluntary movements and communications
brain
the neural center of the body, the body’s control center
spinal cord
super highway of nerves, the body’s means from transmitting info to the brain
sympathetic nervous system
in a stressful situation it inhibits digestion, releases epinephrine by adrenal gland, increases heart rate and breathing to oxygenate blood
parasympathetic nervous system
in a calm/ controlled situation, stimulates digestion, contracts pupils, slows breathing and heart rate
interneurons
the only neurons in the CNS, acting as messages between sensory and motor neurons
sensory (afferent) neurons
carry’s incoming messages/ info from the sense receptors to the CNS
motor (efferent) neurons
carry’s outgoing info from CNS to the peripheral nervous system and muscles
