The nervous system Flashcards
What is the autonomic nervous system?
It governs the brain’s involuntary activities and is self-regulating. It is divided into the sympathetic branch (fight to flight) and the parasympathetic branch (rest and digest).
What is the function of the brain?
The part of the central nervous system that is responsible for coordinating sensation, intellectual and nervous activity.
What is the central nervous system?
Comprises the brain and spinal cord. It receives information from the senses and controls the body’s responses.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
The part of the nervous system that is outside the brain and the spinal cord.
What is the somatic nervous system?
The part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for carrying sensory and motor information to and from the central nervous system.
What is the function of the spinal cord?
A bundle of nerve fibres enclosed within the spinal column and connects nearly all parts of the body to the brain.
Label the structure of the brain.
Cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem and diencephalon all labelled correctly.
What is the function of the frontal and occipital lobes?
The frontal lobe is involved in thought and production of speech. The occipital lobe is involved in the processing of visual images.
What is the function of the cerebellum?
It is involved in controlling a person’s motor skills and balance, coordinating muscles to allow precise movements. Abnormalities in this area can cause speech and motor problems as well as epilepsy.
What is the function of the diencephalon?
Contains the thalamus and the hypothalamus. The thalamus acts as a relay station for nerve impulses coming from the senses, routing them to the appropriate part of the brain to be processed. The hypothalamus controls regulation of body temperature, hunger and thirst. It also controls the release of hormones form the pituitary gland.
What is the function of the brain stem?
It is responsible for regulating the automatic functions essential for life. i.e. breathing, swallowing and heart beat. Motor and sensory neurone travel through the brain stem, allowing impulses to pass between the brain and the spinal cord.
What changes occur in your body during the fight-or-flight response?
Increased pupil size lets in more light for better vision. Increase in heart rate allows for greater blood flow to skeletal muscles. Glycogen stored in the liver is converted to glucose for energy. Bronchial tubes in the lungs dilate for greater oxygen intake. Sweat glands stimulated to produce more sweat. Adrenal; medulla stimulated to release adrenaline.
