PNS: Somatic Nervous System

Question 1

What it is (Somatic)?

Answer 1

A network of nerves that communicate sensory information from sites around the body to the CNS and motor information from the CNS to somatic nerves.

Question 2

What is it responsible for (Somatic)?

Answer 2

For the voluntary movement of skeletal muscles.

Question 3

What is it (Autonomic)?

Answer 3

A nervous system that communicates information between the CNS and non-skeletal muscles, internal organs, and glands that carry out basic bodily functions necessary for survival. As well as being responsible for the fight-flight-freeze response.

Question 4

How does it operate (Autonomic)?

Answer 4

It operates without voluntary control/consciousness. It can be divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Question 5

Facts about the Sympathetic Nervous System?

Answer 5

It becomes active once an organism perceives itself to be in danger or stressed.
Readies the body in response to a threat, increases HR, dilated pupils, stops digestion etc. This is known as the fight-flight-freeze response.

Question 6

Facts about the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

Answer 6

Operates in circumstances where it is relatively calm.
Dominates in the freeze response.
Maintains homeostasis: digestion, normal HR, normal breathing.
Both parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems control the same organs, but in the opposite way.