Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
Specialised network of cells in human body. Primary internal communication system
What are the 2 functions of the nervous system?
- Collect, process, respond to info in environment
- Coordinate working of diff organs/cells
What are the 2 subsystems of the nervous system?
- peripheral nervous system
- central nervous system
What does the peripheral nervous system do?
Communicates between CNS and rest of body.
Subdivided into somatic nervous system + autonomic nervous system
What does the CNS do?
Controls behaviour + regulation of body’s physiological processes
Made up of brain + spinal cord
What is the brains function?
Maintains life + decision making
What is the spinal cords function?
Carries messages between brain and rest of body
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
- acts involuntary
- co-ordinates important functions vital for life
- involved in response to stress
What’s the function of the somatic nervous system?
- controls voluntary movements
- takes sensory info from eyes/ skin to our CNS
What are the subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system?
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
What’s the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
- fight or flight response when ‘under threat’
- releases adrenaline + prepares body for activity by increasing heart rate + blood pressure
What’s the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
- chill out response
- prepares body for relaxation after emergency
- slows down heart and decreases blood pressure
