Nervous System And Endocrine Flashcards
What is the nervous system
Specialized network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system. Based on electrical and chemical signals
What are the two functions 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 are the two subsystems that nervous system is divided into
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
What is the central nervous system made of
Brain and spinal cord
What is the brain
Centre of all conscious and awareness and divided into two hemispheres
What is the spinal cord
Is an extension of the brain
It passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS. It is also responsible for reflux actions
How does PNS transmit message
Via millions of neurons (nerve cells) to and from the central nervous system
What is the peripheral nervous system divided into
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
What is the autonomic nervous system
Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing heart rate, sexual arousal and stress response
What is the somatic nervous system
Governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
What is the endocrine system
Works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body
What system is slower
Endocrine system Is slower because has widespread and powerful effects
What does the gland do
Produce hormones
What do hormones do
Hormones are secreted into the blood stream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone
What is the key endocrine gland
Pituitary gland located in the brain. Often called master gland because controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body
What does the thyroid gland produce
Thyroxine and affects cells in the heart (increase heart rate). Also affects cells throughout the body increasing metabolic rates
What happens during fight or flight
The ANS and endocrine work together in parallel during a stressful event.
-when a stressor is perceived the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland and
-this triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS
-the ANS changes from the parasympathetic state to the physiological aroused sympathetic state
What is adrenaline
The stress hormone is released from the adrenal medulla into the blood stream. Triggers physiological changes in the body which creates the psychological arousal necessary for the flight or fight response
What happens during immediate and automatic
All of this happens in an instant as soon as the threat is detected.
Acute response and an automatic reaction the body . These changes explain why stress panic or excitement are often experienced as sick feeling
What happens during parasympathetic action
-Finally, once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state. -The parasympathetic branch of the ANS works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system - its actions are antagonistic to the sympathetic system. The parasympathetic system acts as a ‘brake and reduces the activities of the body that were increased by the actions of the sympathetic branch. This is sometimes referred to as the rest and digest response.
