Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system
Specialised network of cells
The primary network of communication
Two main functions of the nervous system
To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.
The two parts of the nervous system
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS made up of?
Brain
Spinal Cord
The brain
The center of all conscious awareness
Receives information from the sensory receptors and signals rest of body to react.
Parts of the brain
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Brain stem
The cerebrum
Grey area on the outside
Largest part
Split down the middle into two halves - called cerebral hemispheres
Two halves communicate with each other through the corpus callosum.
What are the two hemispheres of the cerebrum held together by?
Corpus Callosum (a bundle of nerves)
The cerebellum
Found beneath the back of the cerebrum
Control motor skills and balance
Coordinates muscles for precise movements
The thalamus
A relay station for nerve impulses coming from the senses
The hypothalamus
Control center for the body
The brain stem
Connection between brain + spine
Regulates the automatic functions that are essential to life e.g. breathing
What are the four lobes in each hemisphere?
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
Temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Frontal lobe
Associated with higher-order functions
Important for personality, emotions and intelligence
Largest lobe
What area does the frontal lobe contain?
The Broca’s area
Involved in speech (speaking and writing).
Parietal lobe
Integrates information from different senses and plays an important tole in spatial navigation.
Includes: touch, pain, temp.
Temporal lobe
Processes auditory information
Understands language and memory
What area does the temporal lobe contain?
Wernicke’s area
Helps understand language
Occipital lobe
Processes visual information
Includes colour, light, movement
Spinal cord
Passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS
Responsible for reflex actions that do not need to be told by the brain.
Peripheral nervous system
Transmits messages via neurons to and from CNS
Made up of all the nerves outside the CNS
Two sections of the peripheral nervous system
Somatic NS
Automatic NS
Somatic NS
Reflex actions - quick
12 pairs cranial nerves
31 pairs spinal nerves
Automatic NS
Controls automatic functions
Includes heart beat
