The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
A specialised network of cells that pass information to each other through electrical and chemical signals. It collects information from the environment and coordinates a response.
Name 2 parts of the central nervous system.
Brain
Spinal Cord
What is the function of the brain?
Coordinates bodily functions
Allows us to make complex decisions
What part of the brain is responsible for thinking?
The cerebral cortex
What is the function of the spinal cord?
Connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system.
Responsible for reflex actions.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
What does it do?
The nervous system found away from the centre of the body.
Transmits messages via nerve cells to and from the CNS.
Name 2 sub divisions of the peripheral nervous system.
Autonomic
Somatic
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Part of the peripheral nervous system that governs involuntary vital functions in the body such as heart rate.
Give 2 sub divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
Prepares the body for fight or flight by speeding up the functions involved, and slowing functions that are not as important for the response.
Eg: increased heartrate, faster breathing etc
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Returns the body to its normal resting state (homeostasis) after fight or flight. Slows functions involved in fight or flight and increases other bodily functions
Eg: slows heart rate, increases other functions such as digestion.
What does the somatic nervous system do?
Governs voluntary muscle movement and receives information from the sensory receptors.
