The Division Of The Nervous System (Including Fight-Or-Flight)

Question 1

Fill in the blanks:

Answer 1

Question 2

What is the nervous system?

Answer 2

A network of nerve cells that carry messages between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Question 3

What is the central nervous system (CNS)?

Answer 3

The body’s master control unit, concerned with all life functions and psychological processes.

Question 4

What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?

Answer 4

•Brain.
•Spinal cord.

Question 5

What does the brain do in the CNS?

Answer 5

-Mental processing (e.g. problem solving & planning).
-Body functions (e.g. regulating body temperature & heart rate).

Question 6

What are the brain’s two functions in the CNS?

Answer 6

-Receives information from sensory receptors.
-Sends messages (electrical signals) to muscle glands.

Question 7

What does the spinal cord do in the CNS?

Answer 7

It is an extension of the brain, ensuring that signals from the brain are transmitted to the rest of the body via the PNS.

Question 8

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 8

A system that relays sensory information between the CNS and muscles.

Question 9

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Answer 9

•Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
•Somatic Nervous System (SNS).

Question 10

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Answer 10

A system that controls involuntary actions (e.g. breathing, heart rate). It is also involved in homeostasis.

Question 11

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Answer 11

•Sympathetic.
•Parasympathetic.

Question 12

What is the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

Answer 12

A system that controls voluntary (conscious) actions (e.g. picking up a cup of tea).

Question 13

What is sympathomedullary pathway short for?

Answer 13

SAM.

Question 14

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 14

A system that increases bodily activities and prepares the body for fight-or-flight situations.

Question 15

What phrase best describes the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 15

Fight-or-flight.

Question 16

What is the amygdala?

Answer 16

The part of the brain that associates sense with emotional processes.

Question 17

What is the hypothalamus?

Answer 17

A small part of the brain that regulates body drives (e.g. hunger and sex).

Question 18

What is the adrenal medulla?

Answer 18

A small part of the adrenal glands that releases adrenaline & noradrenaline.

Question 19

What is an acute stressor?

Answer 19

Sudden, short term stressors.

Question 20

What is adrenaline?

Answer 20

A hormone that stimulates the nervous system for a quick fight-or-flight response.

Question 21

What is the 5 step process for acute stressors (sympathetic nervous system)?

Answer 21

1. The amygdala identifies a threat and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus.
2. The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system to trigger a fast response.
3. The sympathetic nervous system sends an electrical signal to the adrenal medulla.
4. The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline into the bloodstream, triggering the flight-or-flight response (increased heart rate, digestion halted, etc).
5. This hormone stimulates the sympathetic ganglia, keeping activity at a high level.

Question 22

What are the effects of sympathetic nervous system activation on the body?

Answer 22

•Increased heart rate.
•Pupil dilation.
•Digestion halted.
•Saliva inhibited.
•Glucose released.

Question 23

What does HPA Axis stand for?

Answer 23

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis.

Question 24

What is a chronic stressor?

Answer 24

Prolonged, long term stressors.

Question 25

What is the pituitary gland known as?

Answer 25

The master gland.

Question 26

What is corticotrophin-releasing hormone known as?

Answer 26

CRH.

Question 27

What is adrenocorticotrophic hormone short for?

Answer 27

ATCH.

Question 28

What is cortisol?

Answer 28

A stress hormone that gives a quick burst of energy and lower sensitivity to pain.

Question 29

What is the process of chronic stressors (HPA Axis, sympathetic nervous system)?

Answer 29

H) The hypothalamus releases CRH into the bloodstream.
P) On arrival, the CRH causes the pituitary gland to produce and release ATCH (which is transported into the bloodstream to reach its target site - the adrenal glands).
A) ATCH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol.

Question 30

What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 30

A system that counteracts the effects of SNS by decreasing bodily activities (decreased heart rate, digestion stimulated, etc).

Question 31

What phrase best describes the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 31

Rest-and-digest.

Question 32

What is the effect of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 32

•Decreased heart rate.
•Pupil contraction.
•Digestion stimulated.
•Saliva produced.
•Glucose stored.