The Nervous System and the Endocrine System Flashcards
Define the Nervous System:
Consists of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system producing a primary internal communication
What are the main two functions of the nervous system?
- To collect, process and respond to information in the environment
- To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells
What are the main two components of the nervous system?
- Peripheral Nervous System
- Central Nervous System
What are the sub-units of the central nervous system?
- Brain
- Spinal cord
What are the sub-units of the peripheral nervous system?
- Autonomic nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
What are the sub-units of the autonomic nervous system?
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
Define the central nervous system:
- The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness. The brain’s outer layer, the cerebral cortex, is highly developed in humans
- The brain is divided in two hemispheres
- The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. It is responsible for reflex actions
Define the peripheral nervous system:
-Transmits messages via millions of neurons (nerve cells), to and from the central nervous system
Define the somatic nervous system:
-Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
Define autonomic nervous system:
-Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
What does antagonistic mean?
-Work in opposition to each other
Define the endocrine system:
- Instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream
- hormones taken to targeted organs
What does the parasympathetic system do?
-Maintains and conserves body energy and functions
What does the sympathetic system do?
-Prepares the body to expend energy for fight or flight
Define gland:
An organ in the body that synthesis substances such as hormones
Define hormone:
Chemical substances that circulate in bloodstream and only affect targeted organs
Define flight or fight:
An animal responds when stressed. Body becomes physiologically.
What is the major endocrine gland?
Pituitary gland
What does the pituitary gland do?
Controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands
What does the testes release?
Testosterone
What does the ovaries release?
Oestrogen and progesterone
What does the adrenal glands release?
Adrenalin
What does the sympathetic nervous system do during fight or flight?
Dilates pupils, inhibits saliva production, dilates bronchi, speeds up heart rate, inhibits digestion, stimulates glucose production, inhibits urination
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do during fight or flight?
Constricts pupils, stimulates saliva production, constricts bronchi, slows down heart rate, stimulates digestion, stimulates bile production, stimulates urination
