Nervous System And Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the nervous system based on?
Electrical and chemical signals
What is the endocrine system based on?
Hormones
What are the two main functions of the nervous system?
Collect, process and respond to information in the environment
To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What is the the nervous system divided Into?
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS divided into?
Brain
Spinal cord
What is the PNS divided into?
Autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system
What is the autonomic nervous system divided into?
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
What is the cerebral cortex
Covers the brain and is 3mm thick
How many hemispheres in the brain
2
What is the ANS role
Vital functions in the body eg. Heart rate and breathing.
What does the somatic NS do?
Governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory neurones.
Describe the effects of the endocrine system
Slower than NS but has powerful widespread effects
Where are hormones secreted into?
Bloodstream
Explain how the endocrine system and ANS work together
When a stressor perceived, the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland and this triggers activity in the sympathetic nervous system. The ANS changes from its normal resting state to aroused state (sympathetic)
Explain adrenaline’s role
Stress hormones released from adrenal glands (adrenal medulla) into the bloodstream. This triggers physiological changes in the body eg. Increased heart rate. Necessary for the fight or flight response.
All of this happens in an instant
Describe the role of the parasympathetic nervous system (linking to fight or flight)
Once threat has passed, parasympathetic nervous system returns body to resting state. Parasympathetic branch of ANS works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system. (Antagonistic) (rest and digest)
