The Nervous System

Question 1

Name the two branches of the Nervous system

Answer 1

Peripheral Nervous system

Central Nervous system

Question 2

Out of the peripheral or central nervous systems, which one does stress relate to?

Answer 2

Peripheral

Question 3

What are the two branches of the Peripheral Nervous system and what do they do?

Answer 3

Somatic - Operates nerves attached to bone

Autonomic- Operates muscles not attached to bones - the involuntary ones e.g. heart, stomach, diaphragm

Question 4

What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?

Answer 4

 The ANS refers to the nerves that go from our brain via the spinal cord to our inner organs
 ANS controls the bodily functions that we cannot control voluntarily. This system works autonomously without a person’s conscious effort

Question 5

Name the two branches of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 5

Parasympathetic and sympathetic

Question 6

Describe the structure of the Nervous system in relation to stress

Answer 6

Nervous system = CNS vs. Peripheral => Peripheral
Peripheral = Somatic vs. Autonomic => Autonomic
Autonomic = Parasympathetic + sympathetic

Question 7

What does the Parasympathetic Nervous System do?

Answer 7

CALMING

• stimulates flow of saliva
• slows heartbeat
• constructs bronchi
• stimulates peristalsis and secretion
• stimulates release of bile

Question 8

What does the Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 8

• Inhibits flow of saliva
• Accelerates heartbeat
• Dilates bronchi
• Inhibits peristalsis and secretion
• Conversion of glycogen to glucose
• secretion of adrenaline/noradrenaline etc.

Question 9

The ANS receives information about the body and the external environment from the hypothalamus. The ANS responds by stimulating or calming body processes, which branch does which job?

Answer 9

Parasympathetic - CALMING

Sympathetic - STIMULATING