The Nervous System and Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the nervous system?
Specialised network of cells
Primary internal communication system
What are the two main functions of the nervous system?
Collect, process and respond to info in the environment
Co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in our body
What is the nervous system divided into?
Central nervous system
Peripheral nervous system
What is the central nervous system made of?
Brain
Spinal cord
What is the brain? Describe one of its structures
Our conscious awareness
Cerebral cortex which is the outer layer, highly developed in humans which distinguishes higher mental function than animals
What is the spinal cord? Give three functions
Extention of the brain
Reflex actions
Passes messages to and from brain
Connects nerves to PNS
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?
Transmits messages via millions of neurones, to and from nervous system
What is the peripheral nervous system divided into?
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Receives info from sensory receptors and controls muscle movements
What is the function of autonomic nervous system?
Controls vital, involuntary functions in body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
What is the autonomic nervous system divided into?
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
How does the endocrine system link to the nervous system? How do they compare?
Works alongside nervous system to control vital functions in body
Slower than nervous system but effects are widespread and powerful
What is the endocrine system made up of?
Glands that secrete hormones
Name seven glands in the endocrine system
Pituitary Thyroid Thymus Adrenal Pancreas Ovaries Testes
Define hormone
Chemical substances in bloodstream that target specific organs which have cells with a complementary receptor
Give an example of a gland, a hormone it secretes and its effect on the body
Thyroid gland produces thyroxine which affects cells in the heart by increasing heart rate and cells throughout the body which increases metabolic rate and in turn, growth rates
What is the pituitary gland?
Master gland in brain which controls release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body
Which two systems work together to control the fight or flight response?
Endocrine system
Autonomic nervous system
Describe the flight or flight response (6)
Stressor is perceived
Hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of ANS
ANS changes from normal resting state (parasympathetic) to physiologically aroused sympathetic state
Stress hormone adrenaline released into bloodstream from adrenal medulla
Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in organs, increased heart rate, pupil dilatation, decreased saliva production
Threat passes, parasympathetic nervous system returns body to normal resting state- ‘rest and digest’ response
Give three evaluation points for the flight or fight response
Not limited to two responses, freeze, doesn’t explain all factors
Doesn’t explain for females, tend and befriend, beta bias, limited application
Negative effects, good for ancestors too intense for modern day, malapdaptive
