Nervous system Flashcards
What does the nervous system do?
Allows the brain to receive and respond to information from both inside and outside the body,
What are the three main functions of the NS?
Receive information
Process information
Coordinate a response
Two main divisions of the NS?
Central nervous system, peripheral nervous system
What is the function of the CNS?
To receive information from the PNS, processes a response and then respond.
What does the CNS comprise of?
Brain and spinal cord
What is the spinal cord?
A cable like column of nerve fibers/tissues that extend from the base of the brain to the lower back.
What is the spinal cords functions?
Pass sensory information, receive motor information
What are the two Tracts?
Sensory/afferent, TOWARDS brain
Motor/efferent, AWAY from brain
‘SAME’
What does the PNS comprise of?
Muscles, organs and glands
What is the PNS’ function?
Carry information from the sensory organs and internal organs to the CNS (via sensory neurons)
Conveys information from the CNS to the muscles, organs and glads (via motor neurons, called efferent neurons)
What are the PNS divisions?
Somatic and Autonomic
What does the somatic nervous system do?
Carries information from the CNS to the muscles that control movement
What are skeletal muscles?
Muscles that are attached to bones and which control voluntary movement
Is the SNS a voluntary or involuntary system?
Voluntary
What is a voluntary system?
A system that enables us to voluntarily feel sensations(sensory/afferent neurons), and move body parts (motor/efferent neurons)
What is the autonomic nervous system?
A network of nerves that connects the CNS with the body’s visceral muscles, organs and glands, providing feedback to the brain about what they’re up to
Is the ANS a voluntary or involuntary?
Involuntary
What actions is the ANS responsible for?
- heart rate
- breathing rate
- digestion
- perspiration
What are the divisions of the ANS?
Sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
Activates the visceral muscles, organs and glands to prepare the body for vigorous activity, or to deal with a stressful or threatening situation
FIGHT-FLIGHT-FREEZE
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Returning the body to a state of calm, once the stress/threat is no longer present.
Maintains homeostasis
Why does the Parasympathetic nervous system take longer to return the body to its normal state?
This is due to the lingering presence of the hormones released when the sympathetic nervous system is activated, they remain in the bloodstream.
What is a conscious response?
A reaction to a sensory or internally sourced stimuli that involves awareness