Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system
A network of cells in the human body, the bodys internal communication system
What is the function of the nervous system
To collect, process and respond to info from the environment and to control organs and cells in the body
What does the nervous system divide into
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
What does the peripheral nervous system do
Sends messages to and from the CNS via neurons
What does the PNS subdivide into
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
- responsible for involuntary responses for vital functions
Eg breathing, digestion, stress response and heart rate - controls smooth and cardiac muscles and glands
- ANS control centres are in the brain stem
Somatic nervous system
-responsible for voluntary movements
Eg walking
- transmits information from the brain to control skeletal muscles
- SNS carries commands from the motor cortex
- connects CNS and senses
What does ANS divide into
Sympathetic branch
Parasympathetic branch
What is sympathetic branch responsible for
Fight or flight response
What is parasympathetic branch responsible for
Conserve and restore body energy when relaxed
What is CNS made up of
Brain and spinal cord
What is the brain responsible for
-receives and processes info from the senses
Eg visual cortex processes visual info
-centre of conscious awareness
-responsible for higher mental functions
-generates emotion and thoughts
-initiates responses
-stores memories
What is the spinal cord responsible for
-conducts signals to and from the brain
-connects nerves to the PNS
-controls reflex actions
