nervous system Flashcards
what are the 3 main roles of the nervous system
receive (and transmit) information,
process information, and
coordinate a response to information.
what is the role of the CNS
transmits and receives neural messages to and from the peripheral nervous system.
what is the role of the PNS
responsible for transmitting information to and from the CNS.
role of the spinal cord
responsible for sending sensory information from the body and motor information from the brain
role of the brain
responsible for processing and initiating actions, thoughts and behaviour.
what is the role of the somatic nervous system
responsible for initiating skeletal muscle movement by sending sensory information TOWARDS the CNS and sending motor information to skeletal muscles FROM the CNS
Sensory neurons/afferent neurons
transmits sensory messages to the brain so that it can coordinate a response
Motor neurons/efferent neurons
transmit motor messages from the brain to the skeletal muscles
what is the role of the autonomic nervous system
responsible for regulating the activity of the body’s visceral organs, muscles and glands.
sympathetic nervous system
responsible for increasing the activity of most visceral muscles, organs and glands in times of increased activity, stress or threat. eg. fight or flight
parasympathetic nervous system
responsible for maintaining optimal levels of functioning of the visceral organs, muscles and glands. It also returns them to their balanced and ideal levels of functioning after the heightened arousal of a sympathetic response.
Eg. Rest and digest
enteric nervous system
regulates the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and therefore coordinates digestion and other digestive system activities.
what is a conscious response
an intentional action that requires awareness.
what is an unconscious response
a reaction that does not involve awareness.
reflex arc
responses to sensory stimuli and involves interneurons connecting the affector and effector neurons and therefore at least 2 synapses
