the divisions of the nervous system Flashcards
central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic)
what is the human nervous system?
body wide system of nerve cells that collects information about the world, processes it and takes action by directing body organs and muscles via the transmission of electrochemical messages
what does the nervous system consist of?
the central nervous system
the peripheral nervous system
what is the CNS?
involved in complex processing
what does the CNS consist of?
the brain - conscious and unconscious processing
spinal cord - receives and transmits information
what is the PNS?
body wide network of messenger neurones
sensory neurons to CNS
motor neurons from CNS
what does the PNS consist of?
autonomic and somatic
what is the SNS?
controls skeletal muscles for movement
voluntary system which is under conscious control
what is ANS?
controls actions of internal organs and glands
involuntary system which is under unconscious control
what does the ANS consist of?
sympathetic and parasympathetic
what is SNS?
increases bodily activities
releases noradrenaline
activates fight or flight response to stress
symptoms of SNS response?
heart rate increase
sweat increase
breathing rate increase
pupils dilate
digestion inhibited
what is the PNS?
decreases bodily activities
release of acetylcholine
activates rest and digest response to rest
symptoms of PNS
heart rate decrease
sweat decrease
breathing rate decrease
pupils constrict
digestion stimulated
what is homeostasis?
regulates internal environment
normal conditions: balance between SNS and PNS - called maintaining homeostasis
