nervous system Flashcards
what is the function of the nervous system
-To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
-To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What is the nervous system
A specialised network of nerve cells in the human body and is
our primary internal communication system
What are the two sub systems in the nervous system
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
What is the somatic nervous system
Associated with VOLUNTARY actions (i.e. walking, eating)
• Made up of sensory receptors (which carry information to spinal cord and brain) and motor pathways (that allow brain to control movement).
• Controls skeletal muscle and movement
• Main role = carry sensory information from the outside world to the brain and provide muscle responses via the motor pathways.
What is the autonomic nervous system
Associated with INVOLUNTARY actions (i.e.breathing, eating, digestion AND STRESS RESPONSES)
• Consists of motor pathways (which allows brain to control movement)
• Controls internal organs and glands
• 2 components (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system - responds to a perceived threat / produces physiological changes (i.e. adrenaline released) that prepare the body for fight or flight.
- Parasympathetic nervous system - restores normal physiological functioning (relaxing) when the threat has passed- ‘rest and digest’
What happens in the sympathetic state
- Dilates (opens up) pupils
- Increased heart rate- >to increase blood flow to organs and
- increase the movement of adrenaline around the body
- Increased sweat production - to regulate temperature- cools body down so you don’t overheat
- Decrease saliva production ›excess water in your sweat glands
What happens in the parasympathetic state
Constricts pupils
Decrease heart rate
Decreased sweat production
Decreased breathing rated
Stimulates digestion
Stimulates salivary gland secretion
