P2 Biopsychology: The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the human nervous system
A body wide system of nerve cells that collect information from the world, and processes this information and then takes action by directing body organs and muscles via the transmission of electro chemical messages
What is the human nervous system split into
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the CNS made up of
Brain
Spinal Cord
What does the brain do
Provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes
What does the spinal cord do
Transfer’s messages to and from the brain, and the rest of the body. It’s also responsible for simple reflex actions
What is the PNS
To relay messages (nerve impulses) from the CNS to the rest of the body.
What is the PNS split into
Somatic and autonomic nervous system
What is the function of the somatic nervous system
To carry sensory information from the outside world to the brain
and provide muscle responses via the motor pathways (movement)
What is the somatic nervous system made of
Made up of sensory receptors that carry information to the
spinal cord and brain, and motor pathways that allow the brain
to control movement.
Is the Somatic nervous system a voluntary system
Yes
What does the autonomic nervous system do
Plays an important role in homeostasis, which maintains internal
processes like body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.
Is the autonomic nervous system voluntary
No it’s involuntary (not under conscious control)
What is the autonomic system split into
The Sympathetic System
The Parasympathetic System
What does the sympathetic ns do
Fight or flight
Impulses travel from the sympathetic nervous system to organs in the body to help us prepare for action when we are faced with a dangerous situation.
What does the parasympathetic ns do
• Rest and digest is to relax the body, and return us to our ‘normal’ resting state.
