Nervous System Flashcards
What are some of the functions of the nervous system?
- Monitoring changes
- Interpretation of sensory input
- Effects responses
- Homeostasis
What is the peripheral nervous system?
Consists of many nerves that branch out from CNS all over the body
What is the role of the PNS?
Relays info and messages from CNS to organs, arms, legs and fingers. This allows us to react to stimuli
What is the function of the PNS?
Controls automatic body functions such as motor movement, digestion and relay info
What is the somatic nervous system?
Guides voluntary movements and is responsible for carrying sensory and motor info to and from CNS
2 types of neurons in the Somatic nervous system
- Motor neurons
- Sensory neurons
What do motor neurons do?
Carry info from brain & spinal cord to muscle fibres
What are sensory neurons?
Carry info from nerves to CNS. Allow us to take in sensory into and send it to brain & spinal cord
What is the Automatic nervous system?
Part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for regulating involuntary body functions such as blood flow, heartbeat, digestion and breathing
What is the sympathetic system?
Regulates fight or flight response which prepares body to expend energy to respond to environmental threats. May mean speeding heart rate, boosting blood flow, activating sweat
What is the parasympathetic system?
Helps maintain normal body functions and conserve physical resources. May mean slowing heart rate to go back to normal resting state
What is the cerebral cortex?
Outer layer of brain
What 4 parts are there to the cerebral cortex?
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Occipital lobe
What is the function of the midbrain (within brain stem)?
Acts as a relay station for auditory and visual info. Also controls visual and auditory systems (eye movement)
What is the function of the medulla (within brain stem)?
Located above spinal cord. Controls automatic functions such as heart rate, breathing and blood pressure
What is the function of the pons (within brain stem)?
Involved in automatic functions, e.g stimulating breathing and controlling sleep cycles
What is the function of the cerebellum (within the brain stem)?
Comprised of small lobes and receives info from balance system of inner ear, sensory nerves, auditory and visual systems.
What is the role of the thalamus?
Relay centre of brain. Receives impulses from sensory receptors and process info to be distributed. Also responsible for regulating consciousness and sleep
What is the hypothalamus?
Vital to maintaining homeostasis. Connects CNS to endocrine system. Responsible for HR, BP, appetite, thirst, etc
What does the interior of the spinal cord consist of?
Neurons, glia and blood vessels
What is nervous tissue made up of?
Supporting cells & neurons
What are supporting cells?
Provide protection and metabolic support
What are neurons?
Transmit nerve impulses to one part of the body to another
What is myelin?
Insulates the nerve and helps messages get through. Made up of protein & fatty substances
What are dendrites?
Roots that branch out from cell body. Receive and process signals
What is an axon?
Long, tail like structure
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemical messengers which carry chemical signals from one neuron to the target cell.
What are sensory neurons?
Nerve cells which are activated by sensory input from the environment
What are motor neurons?
Nerve cells in brain and spinal cord that allows us to speak, swallow and breathe by sending demands
What are relay neurons?
Found in brain and spinal cord, allow sensory and motor neurons to communicate
Frontal lobe
Reasoning and motor skills
Parietal lobe
Sensory information
Occipital lobe
Visual cortex
Temporal
Interpreting sounds, language and memory
