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
