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
- based on chemical and electrical signals
what are the two main functions of the nervous system?
- to collect, process and respond to information in the environment
- to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
what is the nervous system divided into?
- central nervous system
- peripheral nervous system
what is the central nervous system divided into?
- brain
- spinal cord
what is the function of the brain?
- control centre for the nervous system
- capable of higher mental processes and conscious awareness
what is the function of the spinal cord?
- passes information to and from the brain
- connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system
- responsible for reflexes
what is the role of the peripheral nervous system?
- PNS sends information to and from the CNS
what is the peripheral nervous system divided into?
- autonomic nervous system
- somatic nervous system
what is the role of the autonomic nervous system?
- control vital involuntary/unconscious functions of internal organs (such as breathing, heart rate and digestion)
what are the two subsystems of the autonomic nervous system?
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
what is the role of the somatic nervous system?
- transmits information from the CNS to the muscles to aid voluntary/conscious movement
what does the somatic nervous system consist of?
- sensory neurons
- motor nerves
what is the role of the sensory neurons in the SNS?
carry information from the environment to the CNS
what is the role of the motor nerves in the SNS?
carry information from the CNS to the skeletal muscles
what is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?
- fight or flight response, prepares the body for activity
- increased heart rate
- increased breathing rate
- pupils dilated(become wider)
- decreased digestion
- decreased salivation
