Structure and function of the nervous system Flashcards
what is the nervous system, what’s it made up of and what does it do?
the nervous system is a communication network
its made up of nerves and cells
allows messages to be sent to and from the body
what are the 2 main jobs of the nervous system
collect and respond to information in the environment
control the working of different organs and cells in the body including the brain
what 2 systems is the nervous system split into
the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system
what 2 systems come under the peripheral nervous system
the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system
what 2 divisions come under the autonomic nervous system
the sympathetic and parasympathetic division
what makes up the central nervous system
the Brain and spinal cord
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the structure and function of the brain
structure- 2 hemispheres, the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body
function- its the centre of all conscious awareness and where decisions take place
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what’s the function of the brain stem and where is it located
its located at the bottom of the brain
controls basic functions like autonomic activity, regulating sleep and consciousness and reflex responses
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the structure and function of the spinal cord
connected to the brain by brain stem, its a long tube structure running down our back
it carries incoming and outgoing messages between the brain and body
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the function of the peripheral nervous system
the pns supports the actions of the cns
it receives information and sends information to the cns
this is achieved by neurons
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the function of the somatic nervous system
it controls voluntary actions of our muscles as most of our actions are under control
an exception is reflex responses , it also collects information from sensory organs
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the function of the autonomic nervous system
controls involuntary movements, coordinates important body functions such as breathing, heart rate and digestion
its involved in the body’s response to stress
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
this division represents a state of psychological arousal such as increase in heart rate, sweating or deeper breathing.
it prepares the body for fight or flight responses
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
what is the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
this division works against the sympathetic division
by causing the opposite effect, its a rest or digest response
returning the body to its normal state after the threat or stress has passed
