the nervous system

Question 1

what is the nervous system?

Answer 1

a specialised network of cells in the human body and its our primary internal communication system

Question 2

what are the 2 main functions of the nervous system?

Answer 2

• collect, process and respond to information in the environment
• to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells

Question 3

what are the different parts of the human nervous system?

Answer 3

central nervous system
-> brain and spinal cord
peripheral nervous system
-> somatic nervous system
-> autonomic nervous system
- sympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system

Question 4

what is the central nervous system?

Answer 4

it passes messages to and from the brain. consists of the spinal cord and brain

Question 5

what is the brain?

Answer 5

it is the centre of all consious awareness. it is divided into the left and right hemisphere

Question 6

what is the spinal cord?

Answer 6

it relays information between the brain and the rest of the body. its responsible for reflex actions.

Question 7

what is the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 7

transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the CNS

Question 8

what is the somatic nervous system?

Answer 8

it controls skeletal muscles and is responsible for muscle movement

Question 9

what is the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 9

its involuntary and governs vital functions in the Body e.g. heart rate, digestion, controls muscles and glands. it consists of 2 parts, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 10

what is the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 10

it prepares the body for fight of flight.
- relaxes the bladder
- increases heart rate
- breathing quickens

Question 11

what is the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 11

maintains and conserves body energy and functions
- bladder contracts
- decreases heart rate
- slows breathing