Nervous System Flashcards
nervous system parts
central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
central nervous system
brain and spinal cord
brain
interprets and stores information and sends order to muscles, glands, and organs
spinal cord
pathway connecting brain and peripheral nervous system
pain response
peripheral nervous system
transmits information to and from central nervous system
autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
autonomic nervous system
automatically regulates glands, internal organs and blood vessels, pupil dilation, digestion, and blood pressure
parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions
parasympathetic
maintains body functions under ordinary conditions, saves energy
sympathetic
prepares the body to react and expend energy in times of stress
fight or flight
somatic nervous system
carries sensory information and controls movement of skeletal muscles sensory system (afferent) and motor system (efferent)
sensory system
carries messages from senses to central nervous system
motor system
carries messages from CNS to muscles and glands
pineal gland
important role in biological rhythms secretes melatonin (helps track day length, seasonal behaviors)
thyroid gland
regulates growth and metabolism
body and brain development
pancreas
blood sugar
insulin and glucagon
adrenal glands
adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex
medulla: releases epinephrine and norepinephrine when under stress
cortex: regulates corticoids (stress, cortisol, etc)