The Nervous System Flashcards
The Nervous System
Consists of all the nerve cells. It is the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication system.
The Nervous System - Central Nervous System (CNS)
Contains the spine and brain, in the center of the body.
The Brain – the neural center of the body, the body’s control center
The Spine – super highway of nerves – the body’s means of transmitting messages to and from the brain.
The Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
The Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System - Autonomic Nervous System
Controls involuntary (could say “automatic,” but not in an FRQ) functions or items that happen automatically within our body – breathing, heartbeat, digestion, etc.
The Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System - Somatic Nervous System
Controls voluntary (remember, soma = body) movements and communication to and from the sense organs – you control these items, they don’t “just happen”
The Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System - Autonomic Nervous System - Sympathetic Nervous System
Physically arouses the body, preparing it to act/ react in stressful situations, expending energy.
Initiates “fight or flight”
- Inhibits digestion
- stimulates glucose release by the liver
- stimulates the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine by the adrenal gland
- Dilates pupils
- increases breathing and heart rate to oxygenate blood
The Nervous System - Peripheral Nervous System - Autonomic Nervous System - Parasympathetic Nervous System
Calms the body, conserving its energy and helping keep a
constant internal state (returns the body to homeostasis).
Initiates “rest and digest”
Types of Neurons - Sensory Neuron (afferent)
carries incoming messages/information from the sense receptors to the CNS.
Types of Neurons - Interneurons
the only neurons in the CNS, acting as messengers between sensory and motor neurons.
Types of Neurons - Motor Neurons (efferent)
carries outgoing information from the CNS to the peripheral nervous system and muscles
