The Nervous System

Question 1

What do psychologists use information about the nervous system for?

Answer 1

Biopsychologists use their knowledge of the nervous system, as well as the peripheral nervous system, to explain our behaviour and actions

Question 2

What is the nervous system?

Answer 2

The nervous system is a specialised network of cells in a human body.

Question 3

What is the nervous system’s primary role in our bodies?

Answer 3

The nervous system acts as our primary internal communication system

Question 4

What are the two main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 4

1. To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
2. To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body

Question 5

How is the nervous system divided?

Answer 5

The nervous system is divided into two subsystems

Question 6

What are the two subdivisions in the nervous system called?

Answer 6

The two subdivisions in the nervous system are called the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 7

What does the central nervous system consist of?

Answer 7

The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Question 8

What is the brain’s role in the central nervous system

Answer 8

The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The outer layer, cerebral cortex, consists of our higher mental functions (like thinking/memory)

Question 9

What is the spinal cord’s role in the central nervous system?

Answer 9

The spinal cord is responsible for the reflex actions (like moving your hand quickly from heat). The spinal cord passes message from the brain to the body, visa versa.

Question 10

What is the main function of the central nervous system (CNS)?

Answer 10

The CNS passes message to and from the brain and connects nerves to the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Question 11

What is the main function of the PNS?

Answer 11

The PNS sends information to the CNS from the outside world and passes on messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body

Question 12

What is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) divided into?

Answer 12

The PNS is divided into two subdivisions

Question 13

What are the two subdivisions in the PNS called?

Answer 13

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the somatic nervous system (SNS)

Question 14

What is the main role of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 14

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal an stress responses

Question 15

What two further subdivisions is the autonomic nervous system subdivided into?

Answer 15

The autonomic nervous system is further subdivided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Question 16

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system? What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 16

Parasympathetic nervous system: decrease heart rate and blood pressure + increase the digestive system’s activity

Sympathetic nervous system: increase blood pressure and heart rate + decrease the digestive system’s activity

Question 17

What is the main role of the somatic nervous system (SNS) ?

Answer 17

The SNS controls muscle movement (allowing the brain to control bodily movement)

The SNS receives information from sensory receptors (eyes, ears, touch, smell, taste,pain receptors)

Question 18

Neurons receive the information from the sensory receptors. What do they do with this information?

Answer 18

These neurons carry the sensory information to the spinal cord to be carried up to the brain and be processed

Question 19

What does the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system work together to do?

Answer 19

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system work together to maintain the body at an optimum level of functioning. This is called homeostasis

Question 20

Do a breakdown of the human nervous system from “the human nervous system” to the last component “ the “parasympathetic/sympathetic nervous system”

Answer 20

The Human Nervous System
The Central Nervous System + The Peripheral Nervous System

The CNS = Brain + Spinal Cord
The PNS = Autonomic Nervous System + Somatic Nerovus System

Autonomic Nervous System = Parasympathetic Nervous System + Sympathetic Nervous System