NERVOUS SYSTEM Flashcards
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
− Portion of the vertebrae nervous system made up of the BRAIN and SPINAL CORD
BRAIN
− The centre of the nervous system in ALL vertebrae
SENSORY NERVES
− Nerves that carry information FROM the eyes, nose, skin, tongue and ears TO the brain for processing
MOTOR NERVES
− Nerves that carry information FROM the brain TO the muscles
− Signals CROSS between the neurons at the synapses
− The signal is transmitted to another neuron across a junction called a SYNAPSE by chemicals called NEUROTRANSMITTERS
HUMAN NERVOUS SYSTEM
− A system of networks of specialized cells (neurons) that connect different parts of the body to each other and the brain via electrochemical signals
− RECIEVES and PROCESSES information from the body and responds
− NEURON is an individual nerve cell that receives and transmits information
− Is a hierarchical structure
− Physiological system to receive sensory information, process or integrate it and transmit MOTOR MESSAGES around the body – DETERMINE OUR REACTION
− Basis of the system is the transmission of electrochemical messages (NEURAL IMPULSES) neuron to neuron
− Divided into TWO major components or divisions; CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) or PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)
CNS
− A MAJOR division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves in the brain and spinal cord
SPINAL CORD
− A part of the CNS that consists of a cable of nerve fibres stretching from the base of the brain to the lower back
− Connects the brain to the PNS and transmits sensory information FROM the PNS TO the brain and motor messages from the brain to the PNS
PNS
− A MAJOR division of the nervous system consisting of all the nerves outside of the CNS
− Transmits sensory information TOWARDS to the CNS
− Transmits motor messages from the brain OUTWARDS to the rest of the body
− Comprised of TWO subdivisions; Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
− The division of the PNS that transmits sensory information RECEIVED from the SENSORY RECEPTOR CELLS inwards, towards the CNS
− Motor messages from the CNS to the body’s VOLUNTARY skeletal muscles; known as the SKELETAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
ANS
− Division of the PNS that transmits motor messages from the brain to the body’s INTERAL ORGANS and GLANDS
- Results in INVOLUNTARY activity of internal organs and glands
− TRANSMITS messages back to the brain about the activity level of these organs and glands
− Further divided into TWO subdivisions; SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM and PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
− Branch of the ANS that alters the activity level of INTERNAL MUSCLES, ORGANS and GLANDS to physically prepare our body for increased activity during times of HIGH EMOTIONAL OR PHYSICAL AROUSAL
PARASYMPATHETIC
− Branch of the ANS that maintains an energy level appropriate for normal BODILY FUNCTIONING AND PHYSICALLY CALMS us after high arousal by REVERSING the changes in bodily functioning caused by the domination of the SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
