the nervous and endocrine system Flashcards
nervous system
consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
CNS
consists of the brain and the spinal cord
PNS
sends information to the CNS from the outside world, and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands
SNS (somatic nervous system)
transmits information from receptor cells to the CNS
ANS (autonomic nervous system)
transmits information to and from internal bodily organs
operates involuntarily
contains the sympathetic and parasympathetic
endocrine system
instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream
glands
an organ in the body that synthesises substances such as hormones
what are the main endocrine glands?
hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, testes
fight or flight response
the way the body responds when stressed
how does the fight or flight response work?
- when the stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch
- ANS changes from normal resting state to physiologically aroused
- adrenaline is released fromthe adrenal medulla which causes heart beat to increase, increased sweat, dilated pupils, inhibits digestion
- once threat is passed, the parasympathetic branch reverses the changes = “rest and digest”