The Nervous system and the Endocrine system Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the Nervous system?

A
  • Specialised network of cells (primal internal communication system), based on electrical and chemical signals
  • Consists of two subsystems: central nervous system, peripheral nervous system
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2
Q

What are the two main functions of the nervous system?

A
  • Collects, processes and responds to information in the environment
  • To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
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3
Q

What is the Central Nervous system?

A
  • Brain and Spinal cord
  • Brain ‘centre of all awareness’ cerebral cortex is 3mm thick and highly developed in humans
  • spinal cord is an extension of the brain, passes messages to and from the brain, connects nerves to the PNS. Responsible for reflex actions
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4
Q

What is the Peripheral Nervous system?

A
  • Transfers messages via neurons to and from CNS
  • Further divided into: Autonomic Nervous system - governs vital functions e.g breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses and Somatic Nervous system - governs muscle movement and receives info from sensory receptors
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5
Q

How does the Endocrine system work?

A
  • Glands e.g Thyroid produce hormones e.g thyroxine that are secreted into bloodstream and effects cells with a receptor for said hormone.
  • most hormones affect multiple organs e.g thyroxine increases heartrate and affects metabolic rate
  • Pituitary gland = master gland (controls release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body)
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6
Q

How are Endocrine system and Autonomic Nervous system linked?

A
  • e.g during a stressful event: when a stressor is perceived the hypothalamus activates pituitary gland which triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the AMS
  • ANS changes from parasympathetic state to physiologically aroused sympathetic state
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7
Q

How does Fight of flight occur/ what are the features?

A

Adrenaline: released from the adrenal medulla into bloodstream. Adrenaline triggers physiological changes which creates physiological arousal necessary for flight/fight

Immediate and Automatic: as soon as the threat is detected, an acute response and an automatic reaction

Parasympathetic action: once threat has passed parasympathetic branch of the ANS works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system. Acts as a break to fight/flight activities - rest and digest response

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8
Q

What does the Sympathetic state do?

A
  • Increases heart rate, breathing rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion, inhibits saliva production, contracts rectum
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9
Q

What does the Parasympathetic state do?

A
  • decreases heart rate, breathing rate, constricts pupils, stimulates digestion, stimulates saliva production, relaxes rectum
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