The Nervous System

Question 1

What is the nervous system

Answer 1

• A specialised network of cells in the human body
• It is our primary internal communication system

Question 2

What are the two main functions of the nervous system

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What are the two divisions of the Human Nervous System

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What are the two subdivisions in the Central nervous system

Answer 4

Brain- All conscious and most unconscious processing
Spinal cord- Recieves and transmits information from the brain and body

Question 5

What is the importance of the brain (3)

Answer 5

• It is the centre of all conscious awareness
• The brains outer layer, the cerebral cortex, is highly developed in humans and it is what distinguishes us from other species
• The brain is also divided into two hemispheres

Question 6

What is the importance of the Spinal Chord (3)

Answer 6

• An extension of the brain
• Responsible for reflex actions –>The spinal cord controls some reflexes without involving the brain
• Passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS

reflex action-Pulling ur hand away when in contact with something hot

Question 7

Name the two sub divisions of the PNS

Answer 7

Autonomic and somatic nervous systems

Question 8

What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?

There are 5 things it governs

Answer 8

• An involuntary system
• Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate digestion sexual arousal and stress response

Question 9

What is the somatic nervous system?

Answer 9

• Voluntary system
• Controls muscle movement and recieves information from sensory receptors

Question 10

Are there any further divisions of the ANS and if so name them

Answer 10

• Yes, the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
• They work in parallel

Question 11

What is the role of the Parasympathetic nervous system (3)

Answer 11

• Decreases bodily activities
• Activates in rest
• The role is to relax the body, and return us to our ‘normal’ resting state. Consequently, the parasympathetic nervous system slows down our heart rate and breathing rate, and reduces our blood pressure. Furthermore, any functions that were previously slowed down during a fight or flight reaction are started again.

Question 12

Q1- Describe two or more functions of the peripheral nervous system (4 marks) (3)

Answer 12

• PNS-Responsible for transmitting messages to and from the CNS
• SNS- Responsible for transmitting information from sense organs to the CNSand transmitting information from the CNS to effectors such as muscles
• ANS- Responsible for transmitting information to and from internal bodily organs

additional information: the sympathetic nervous system works alongside the endocrine system to bring about physiological arousal in the fight or flight response.
The parasympathetic nervous system works alongside the endocrine system to return the body to its resting state in the rest and digest responses.

Question 13

How thick is the cerebral cortex

Answer 13

2mm-4mm thick

Question 14

Name the 4 divisons of the cerebrum

Answer 14

Frontal lobe-The closest thing pointing to you
Temporal-Located below the frontal
Parietal-Located behind the frontal lobe
Occipital-Located furthest away from the frontal lobe

Question 15

What does the Cerebellum do (3)

Answer 15

It controls a person’s
1. Motor skills
2. Balance
3. Coordinates muscles- which allows precise movements.

Question 16

What does the diencephalon do (3)

Answer 16

• Works with the endocrine system to release hormones- contains the thalamus
• relays sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex
• regulates circadian rhythms- Sleep cycle

It also contains the hypothalamus

Question 17

What does the brain stem do

Answer 17

Motor and sensory neurons travel through the brain stem allowing impulses to pass between brain and spinal cord.

Regulates automatic functions e.g. heart rate, breathing and swallowing

Question 18

What is considered a spinal cord injury?

Answer 18

A fracture, or a tear of the spinal cord

an injury to it can have a serious impact on how your body functions.

Question 19

What are the two types of spinal chord injurys?

Answer 19

Complete and incomplete. A doctor must examine you to determine which type of injury you have.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of complete spinal cord injury

Answer 20

Total loss of feeling, movement, and bodily function below the level of the injury

Question 21

What are the symptoms of incomplete spinal cord injury

Answer 21

Some feeling, movement, or function below the level of the injury

Question 22

What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Answer 22

• Body wide network of messenger neurons
• Delivers instructions to the body from the CNS

• Sensory neurons Send information to the CNS
• Motor neurons send information away from the CNS (to the rest of the body

Question 23

What does the sympathetic system do (3)

Answer 23

• Works alongside the endocrine system to bring about physiological arousal in the fight or flight response
• Increases heart rate sweat breathing rate
  dilates pupils
• Inhibits digestion