PAPER 2 - BIOPSYCHOLOGY - divisions of the nervous system Flashcards
what is the nervous system?
complex network of neurons that carry messages from brain and spinal cord to rest of the body
what are the 2 main sub systems the nervous system is divided into?
- central nervous system (CNS)
- peripheral nervous system
what is the central nervous system?
- consists of brain and spinal cord
- receives information from the senses and controls body responses
what is the spinal cord?
a bundle of nerve fibres within spinal column, connects nearly all parts of the body with the brain
what is the spinal cords main function?
relays information between brain and rest of the body
what is the peripheral nervous system?
- part of the NS outside of the brain and spinal cord
- carries sensory and motor info to and from the CNS
- connects CNS with rest of the body
what is the somatic nervous system?
- controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles
- carries sensory & motor information to and from CNS
- part of peripheral nervous system
what is the autonomic nervous system?
- controls involuntary movement of non-skeletal muscles and internal body systems
- part of peripheral nervous system
what is the sympathetic nervous system?
- produces arousal & energy, preparing body for rapid action (fight or flight)
- part of the autonomic nervous system
what is the parasympathetic nervous system?
- reduces arousal, conserving energy and digestion, relaxes the body (rest & digest)
- part of the autonomic nervous system
what are the 2 main sub systems the nervous system is divided into?
- central nervous system (CNS)
- peripheral nervous system
what are the 4 main areas of the brain?
- cerebellum
- cerebrum
- diencephalon
- brain stem
what are the 4 lobes of the cerebrum?
- frontal lobe
- parietal lobe
- occipital lobe
- temporal lobe
what does the frontal lobe do?
involved in thought, speech production, impulse control & working memory
what does the parietal lobe do?
processes sensory information (touch, temperature etc.)
