Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
the body system that allows us to think, feel, remember, move, and be aware of the world around us
it coordinates all of our other systems in order to maintain homeostasis and respond to changing conditions
What makes up the nervous system?
neurons and nerves
What are the two parts of the nervous system?
the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
What functions do the CNS and the PNS provide?
sensory, integrative, and motor
What does the CNS consist of?
the brain and spinal cord
What is the CNS?
the control center of the body, and the brain is responsible for deciding how our body reacts to stimuli
What does the PNS consist of?
nerves that breach out of the CNS and connect it to other parts of the body
What nerves make up the PNS?
cranial nerves that arise from the brain and spinal nerves that arise from the spinal cord
What can the PNS be divided into?
the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
What does the somatic nervous system consist of?
cranial and spinal nerves that connect the CNS to the skin and skeletal muscles
Does the somatic nervous system deal with conscious or unconscious activities?
conscious
What do the fibers in the autonomic nervous system connect the CNS to?
the heart, stomach, intestines, and glands
Does the autonomic nervous system deal with conscious or unconscious activities?
unconscious (ex. breathing, heartbeat)
What divisions can the autonomic nervous system be broken down into?
the parasympathetic division and the sympathetic division
What is the sympathetic division?
the division that is responsible for sending out the “fight or flight” response that prepares the body for high energy expending, stressful, emergency situations
What changes happen to your body when the sympathetic division sends out a response?
you get a burst of energy and strength, and you have more adrenaline pumping which causes you to feel less pain
What is the parasympathetic division?
the division that is responsible for counterbalancing the sympathetic division - it sends out responses during normal, daily situations
What changes happen to your body when the parasympathetic division sends out a response?
your heart rate decreases and your digestion increases
What are the 3 functions of the nervous system?
sensory, motor, and integrative
What is sensory function caused by?
nerves at the end of the PNS
What do sensory nerves do (regarding sensory function)?
gather information by detecting changes inside and outside the body
What external factors do sensory nerves monitor?
light and sound intensities
What internal factors do sensory nerves monitor?
temperature and oxygen levels
What do sensory receptors do (regarding integrative function)?
take environmental information and make it into nerve impulses that travel through the PNS to the CNS, and once in the CNS they are brought together and made into sensations, perceptions, and memories
