The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the nervous system responsible for?
- Analysing sensory information from the body and external environment.
- Storing some information
- Making decisions regarding appropriate responses and behaviours
How can the nervous system be divided?
Into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
What is the CNS made up of?
The brain and spinal cord.
What is the PNS made up of?
Neurons throughout the rest of the body.
What is the role of the neurons in the PNS?
Pass messages to and from the CNS via electrical impulses.
What happens when a stimulus is detected by receptors in external sensory organs?
An impulse is carried along sensory neurons to the CNS.
What happens once the CNS has processed the information?
Impulses are transmitted along motor neurons to effectors which bring about a response.
How can the PNS be divided?
Into the Somatic Nervous System (SNS) and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
What is the role of the SNS?
To control the skeletal muscles through the action of sensory and motor neurons and is involved in mainly voluntary actions.
What is the SNS responsible for?
Involuntary reflex actions.
What is the ANS responsible for?
regulating internal structures such as the heart and blood vessels.
How does the regulation controlled by the ANS occur?
Through automatic, involuntary actions which involve sensory and motor neurons.
Where do the nerves of the ANS arise from?
The brain and emerge from the spinal cord at numerous points to reach the organs that they stimulate.
What is the ANS made up of?
The Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic systems.
When is the Parasympathetic System in control?
In times of rest and relaxation; slows functions and conserves resources.
