The Nervous System and The Endocrine System Flashcards
Outline the nervous system.
The central nervous system - made up of the brain and the spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system - made up of the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is subdivided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
In the CNS, what do the brain and spinal cord do?
Brain: controls conscious awareness.
Spinal cord: carries incoming and outgoing messages between the brain and body.
Helps brain monitor and regulate body processes, coordinate voluntary movement and perform simple reflexes.
What is the function of a brain stem?
-At the base of of the brain and connects to the spinal cord.
-Carries motor and sensory nerves to the brain - From the brain, carries motor and sensory nerves to the body.
-Controls autonomic functions and directs some reflex responses.
What are the functions of the somatic NS?
-Controls voluntary muscle movement.
-Take in info via our sensory organs.
-Controls skeletal muscles.
What are the functions of the autonomic NS?
-Controls autonomic (involuntary) functions.
-Controls smooth muscles and glands.
-Controls homeostasis.
What are 2 differences between the somatic NS and autonomic NS?
-The somatic NS controls voluntary muscle movement whereas the autonomic NS controls involuntary functions.
-The somatic NS has both sensory and motor pathways whereas the autonomic NS has only motor pathways.
What commands the autonomic NS?
The brain stem.
What are the functions of the sympathetic NS?
-Responds to physiological arousal.
-Automatic response when a threat is perceived.
-Increase heart rate, breathing rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion and contracts rectum.
-Fight or flight.
Which neurotransmitter/hormone does the sympathetic NS tend to use?
Noradrenaline
What are the functions of the parasympathetic NS?
-Stops the sympathetic NS.
-Decreases all the symptoms caused by the sympathetic NS.
-Returns body to normal resting state after threat has gone.
What is meant by the endocrine system?
A system which helps to control functions in the body by regulating cell/organ activity.
What is meant by a gland?
An organ which synthesises substances.
What is meant by a hormone?
A chemical that circulates in the bloodstream.
What are the differences between the endocrine system and the NS?
-NS is rapid, ES is slow.
-NS made of neurons, ES made of glands.
-NS uses electrical impulses, ES uses chemical messengers.
-NS is localised, ES is widespread.
