nervous system Flashcards
what is the nervous system and what does it consist of?
specialist network of cells, central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
what is the CNS made up of?
Made up of the brain – the centre of all awareness – and the spinal cord.
what does the PNS do?
Transmits messages, via millions of neurons, to and from the CNS.
what are the 2 subdivisions of the PNS?
somatic nervous system (SNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS)
what is the somatic nervous system?
Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors. voluntary actions
what is the autonomic nervous system?
Controls vital functions e.g. breathing, heart rate, digestion, stress.
involuntarty actions
what is the autonomic nervous system further divided into?
sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system.
what does the sympathetic NS control?
Fight or Flight mechanism, increases heart rate and adrenaline
what does the parasympathetic NS control?
rest and digest mechanism