The Nervous system Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
A specialised network of nerve cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
What are the two main functions of the nervous system?
-Collect, process and respond to information in the environment
-Co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
What is the nervous system two sub-systems it is divided into?
Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
What are the 2 sub-sections that the central nervous system is divided into?
Brain
Spinal cord
What are the 2 sub-sections that the peripheral nervous system is divided into?
Somatic nervous system
Automatic nervous system
What are the 2 sub-sections that the automatic nervous system is divided into?
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
What is the sympathetic nervous system primarily involved in?
Responses that help us to deal with emergencies
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
-Responds to a perceived threat
-Neurons from SNS travel to every organ/gland to produce physiological changes to prepare for flight and fight
What are examples of physiological changes made by the sympathetic nervous system?
Pupils dilate causes the body to release stored energy
Heart rate and breathing increase
Non-vital functions inhibited such as diegstion
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Restores normal physiological functioning when the perceived threat has passed
What are examples of what the parasympathetic nervous system does?
Heart rate and breathing slow down
Blood pressure reduced
Digestion begins
Why is the parasympathetic nervous system sometimes referred to as the body’s rest and digest system?
It is involved with energy conservation and digestion
What does the central nervous system do?
Processes, interprets, stores info, issues orders to muscles, glands and organs
What is the spinal cords role in the central nervous system?
The bridge between the brain and peripheral nerves
What does the peripheral nervous system do?
Transmits info to and from the central nervous system
