The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system
- a complex network of nerve cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body
- so all parts of the body can communicate with each other
What controls the nervous system
The brain controls the nervous system and oversees the workings of the body
- it’s higher functions provide us with consciousness and makes us who we are
What’s the nervous system divided into
- The Central nervous system (CNS)
- The Peripheral nervous system- nerve cells that carry information to/from the CNS
Components of the CNS
Spinal cord and brain
Components of the peripheral nervous system
Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system
Components of the autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic nervous system abs parasympathetic nervous system
The central nervous system
- receives sensory input and produces responses via nerves
CNS- the brain
The brain- involved in many physiological processes
Many parts of the brain - some are primitive and concerned with vital functioning
Cerebral cortex (outer layer) involved in higher order thinking (problem solving)
CNS- the spinal cord
- received and transmits information from the brain to the peripheral nervous system
- also responsible for reflex actions eg pulling hand away from something hot
The peripheral nervous system
The PNS relays nerve impulses via neurons from the CNS to the rest of the body and then from the body back to the CNS
PNS- the somatic nervous system
-nerves we actively control
SNS received information from sensory receptors and sends this information to the CNS. - controls voluntary muscle movement
PNS- the autonomic nervous system
The ANS works automatically and we don’t have to think in order for the nerves to work
- brain does it for us eg- heart to beat
Has two sub divisions, the sympathetic abs the parasympathetic nervous system
Difference between Somatic and Autonomic nervous system
- SNS has sensory and motor pathways where the ANS is purely motor
- ANS controls internal organs and glands where the SNS controls skeletal muscle and movement
- ANS control centres are in the brain stem where SNS carries commands from the motor cortex
