The Nervous System

Question 1

what does the nervous system allow us to do?

Answer 1

the nervous system is a collection or organs, that allow us to:
-monitor and regulate internal body activities
-interact and respond to the environment
-interact within society

Question 2

what cells make up the nervous system?

Answer 2

NEURONES:
sensory/motor/inter/relay
GLIAL:
astrocytes/oligodendrocytes

Question 3

what is the function of the sensory neuron?

Answer 3

they transmit electrical impulses from a receptor, to a motor neuron.

Question 4

what is the function of the motor neuron?

Answer 4

carry impulses from the central nervous system, to the effectors, which can be a muscle or gland. this then coordinates a response as a result of the stimuli.

Question 5

what is the function of the inter neuron?

Answer 5

they act as a relay station of information going to or from the brain.

Question 6

what is the function of the relay neuron?

Answer 6

they are responsible for taking an electrical impulse from the sensory neuron to the motor neuron.

Question 7

what is the function of glial cells?

Answer 7

their main function, is to provide nutrients to the neurons, and to regulate the concentration of ions and chemicals, in the extracellular fluid , and to provide structural support for synapses.

Question 8

what is the function of the astrocytes?

Answer 8

they are involved in the induction and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier, and axonal growth and support.

Question 9

what is the function of the oligodendrocytes?

Answer 9

they generate and maintain myelin, which in turn increases the efficiency of axonal signal conduction.

Question 10

what are the two nervous systems found in mammals?

Answer 10

-Central Nervous System (CNS)
-Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Question 11

breakdown of the CNS:

Answer 11

-made up of the brain and spinal cord
-receives, processes, and sends information

Question 12

breakdown of the PNS:

Answer 12

-broken down into the SOMATIC nervous system, and the AUTONOMIC nervous system.
the AUTONOMIC system is further broken down into sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric systems.

Question 13

what is the function of the somatic nervous system?

Answer 13

-the voluntary control of body movements- e.g. walking/jumping/etc
-conscious activities
-controls skin and muscles

Question 14

what is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 14

-regulates involuntary processes, such as: heart rate/blood pressure/digestion/etc

Question 15

what is the function of the sympathetic system?

Answer 15

-plays a large role in the stimulation and mobilising of energy
-increases energy/blood pressure/heart rate/sweat glands
-involved in the flight or fight response

Question 16

what is the function of the parasympathetic system?

Answer 16

-involved with the conservation of energy
-increases digestion and salivation, but decreases heart rate
-created a ‘resting’ state

Question 17

what is the function of the enteric system?

Answer 17

-makes up a large portion of the PNS, that controls gastrointestinal behaviour
-works independent from the the CNS
-regulates immune response/motability/detecting nutrients/etc