The Nervous System

Question 1

What are the two main features of the nervous system?

Answer 1

• to collect, process and respond to info in the environment

- to coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body

Question 2

The nervous system is divided into…?

Answer 2

The CNS and PNS

Question 3

What is the CNS?

Answer 3

Made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Question 4

The brain is part of the CNS. What is its function?

Answer 4

The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness.

Question 5

What aspect of out CNS distinguishes our higher mental function than those of animals?

Answer 5

The outer layer of the brain - cerebral cortex.

Question 6

The spinal cord is in the CNS. What is it?

Answer 6

Spinal cord is an extension of the brain

Question 7

The spinal cord is in the CNS. What is its function?

Answer 7

It’s responsible for reflex actions.

And passes messages to and from the brain, and connects nerves to the PNS.

Question 8

What is the function of the PNS?

Answer 8

To transmit messages, via millions of neurons to and from the nervous system.

Question 9

What is the PNS sub-divided into?

Answer 9

The autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system.

Question 10

The ANS is a subdivision of the PNS. What is its function?

Answer 10

The ANS governs vital functions in the body eg breathing, heart rate digestion.

Question 11

The SNS is a sub-division of the PNS. What is its function?

Answer 11

The SNS controls muscle movement, and receives info from sensory receptors.

Question 12

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 12

The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body through the actions of hormones.

Question 13

What is the major difference between the nervous and endocrine system?

Answer 13

The endocrine system works much more slowly than the nervous system, but has widespread and powerful effects.

Question 14

Glands are involved in the endocrine system. What are they?

Answer 14

Organs in the body that produce hormones.

Question 15

What is the major endocrine gland?

Answer 15

The pituitary gland (brain).

Called the ‘master gland’ as it controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body.

Question 16

Hormones are involved in the endocrine system. What are they?

Answer 16

Hormones are secreted in the bloodstream, and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone.

Question 17

Give an example of an important hormone in the endocrine system?

Answer 17

Thyroxine - produced by thyroid gland. Thus affects cells throughout the body which increases metabolic rate. This in turn affects growth rates.

Question 18

When do the endocrine system and ANS work together?

Answer 18

In the FoF response.

Question 19

Outline the porches of the FoF response.

Answer 19

1. A stressor is perceived, so the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS. This thus changes from normal resting state (parasympathetic) to physically aroused sympathetic state.
2. Adrenaline is released from adrenal medulla into bloodstream.
3. This hormone triggers physiological changes in target organs in the body. Eg causes increased HR, dilated pupils.
4. Once the threat has passed, the PNS returns the body to its resting state (‘rest and digest’).

Question 20

What is triggered when a stressor is perceived in the FoF response?

Answer 20

The hypothalamus

Question 21

Where is adrenaline released from the in the FoF response?

Answer 21

The adrenal medulla.

Question 22

Give examples of the sympathetic state in the FoF response?

Answer 22

Increased HR, increased breathing rate, dilated pupils, inhibition of digestion, inhibition of saliva production, contracts rectum.

Question 23

Give examples of the parasympathetic state in the FoF response.

Answer 23

Decreased HR, decreased breathing rate, constriction of pupils, stimulation of digestion, stimulation of saliva production, relaxation of rectum.