The Nervous System Flashcards
What are the 2 main sub-systems of the nervous system
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
What is the central nervous system made up of
- Brain
- Spinal chord
What is the peripheral nervous system made up of
Millions of neurones which carry electrical impulses to and from the CNS
What are the two subdivisions of the PNS
- The autonomic nervous system (ANS) = parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system
- The somatic nervous system (SNS)
What is the role of the somatic nervous system
To control voluntary movement and deals with skeletal muscles
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system
To control involuntary/automatic movements and deals with smooth muscles and glands
What is the autonomic nervous system subdivided into
Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system
To increase bodily activities and mobilise body for fight or flight
What is the role of the parasympathetic system
Restores the body to resting levels and conserves energy
What is the role of the brain and the spinal chord in the CNS
Brain= governs our conscious awareness and coordinates sensation, intellectual and nervous activity
Spinal chord= receives info to and from brain and responsible for reflex actions
