Subdivisions of the nervous system

Question 1

What makes up the Central nervous system (CNS)?

Answer 1

Everything inside the spine and skull (cortex, subcortical structures and nuclei, spinal cord)

Structures encases in bone and are very poor at fixing themselves if damaged

Question 2

What makes up the Peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 2

Everything outside spine and skull (nerves and axons)

Unlike CNS, PNS is plastic (can regrow after damage)

Known as the system of inputs and outputs

Question 3

What provides input and what type of information is provided?

Answer 3

Sensory division (afferent info)

Includes the 5 basic sensory systems

Question 4

What provides output and what type of information is provided?

Answer 4

Motor division (efferent info)

Somatic - controls voluntary movement
Autonomic - controls involuntary movement

Question 5

How does movement work as a circuit?

Answer 5

1) Starts in sensory domain - receptors detect changes/stimuli and info sent to CNS by afferent nerves
2) Integration - Info processed and decision made about what should be done
3) Motor output - Effector organs (e.g., muscle) activated and effected by efferent nerves