the nervous system Flashcards
what is the nervous system
a specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
what are the two main functions of the nervous system
- to collect, process and respond to information in the environment
- to coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
what are the two sub-systems of the nervous system
the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
what is the CNS made up of
the brain and the spinal cord
what is the brain
the centre of all conscious awareness, divided into two hemispheres
what is the spinal cord
an extension of the brain, responsible for reflex actions such as pulling your hand away from a hot plate
what is the peripheral nervous system
transmits messages via neurons to and from the CNS
what are the subdivisions of the PNS
autonomic nervous system
somatic nervous system
what is the autonomic nervous system
governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion and stress response
what is the somatic nervous system
controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic nervous system
