The Peripheral Nervous System Flashcards
What are the two divisions and locations of the nervous system?
The two divisions of the nervous system are
1) Central nervous system: consists of the brain and spinal cord
2) Peripheral nervous system: outside of the brain and spinal cord
What is the function of the CNS?
The central nervous system is responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information.
What is the two major functions of the PNS?
The peripheral nervous system two major functions are to carry information from the sensory organs and internal organs to the CNS, and to convey information between the CNS and all other parts of the body outside the brain and spinal cord.
What are the two divisions and functions of the PNS?
1) The somatic nervous system
2) The autonomic nervous system
What is the function of the somatic nervous system?
Your somatic nervous system allows you to move and control muscles throughout your body and stimulates the skeletal muscles through voluntary movements and involuntary reflexes.
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and digestion.
What are ganglia?
Ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies. Ganglia function as relay stations, carrying information (to and from the CNS) relating to sensory and involuntary motor function
What is the difference between a synapse and ganglion?
A ganglion is a cluster of neuron cell bodies that house millions of synapses. Synapse is located in the ganglion.
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
1) The sympathetic system (“fight or flight”)
2) The parasympathetic system (“relax and digest”)
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
The sympathetic nervous system activates the fight or flight response during a threat and expends energy. When the fight or flight response is activated it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and slows digestion so the energy can be diverted elsewhere. It essentially increases you strength, eyesight, and speed in times of stress.
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
The parasympathetic nervous system restores the body to a state of calm and conserves energy. The parasympathetic nervous system can decrease respiration and heart rate and increases digestion when your body is relaxed.
Compare and contrast specific examples of the function of the parasympathetic nerves and sympathetic nerves?
1) Constricts pupils vs dilates pupils
2) Stimulates saliva vs inhibits saliva
3) slows heartbeat vs increases heartbeat
4) constricts airways vs relaxes airways
4) stimulates stomach and gallbladder vs inhibits stomach ad gallbladder
5) stimulates intestine activity vs inhibits intestine activity
6) contracts bladder vs relaxes bladder
Compare and contrast specific examples of the function of the parasympathetic nerves and sympathetic nerves?
1) Constricts pupils vs dilates pupils
2) Stimulates saliva vs inhibits saliva
3) slows heartbeat vs increases heartbeat
4) constricts airways vs relaxes airways
4) stimulates stomach and gallbladder vs inhibits stomach ad gallbladder
5) stimulates intestine activity vs inhibits intestine activity
6) contracts bladder vs relaxes bladder
Describe ganglia in the parasympathetic nervous system?
Parasympathetic ganglia are further away from the spine and found close or inside the effector organs and muscles. It uses more specific, strategic signals because it involves processes that take place during a specific time when needed/wanted by the body.
Describe ganglia in the sympathetic nervous system?
Sympathetic ganglia are located at more distant sites from their target organs and close to the spinal cord so they can send messages further to numerous effectors during excitatory responses.
