The Peripheral Nervous System

Question 1

What is the peripheral nervous system?

Answer 1

The PNS feeds information into our brain from most of our senses. it carries signals that allow us to move our muscles

Question 2

What is a neurone?

Answer 2

A highly modified cell which is capable of initiating, relaying and redirecting electrical impulses.

Question 3

What is a neurones function?

Answer 3

• controlling muscle activity
• regulating glands
  Supporting and protecting the nervous system

Question 4

How many pairs of spinal nerves do we have?

Answer 4

31 pairs

Question 5

How many pairs of cranial nerves do we have?

Answer 5

12 pairs

Question 6

What is an axon?

Answer 6

Extension of a cell body, carries impulses AWAY

Question 7

What is a dendrite?

Answer 7

Extension of cell body, carries impulses TOWARDS

Question 8

What is a nucleus?

Answer 8

Contains gene factors of the cells general makeup which can determine structure and function of cell

Question 9

What is adrenaline?

Answer 9

Hormone that adrenal glands make to help us prepare for stressful or dangerous situations

Question 10

What is norepinephrine?

Answer 10

Both a neurotransmitter and a hormone.

Question 11

What is serotonin?

Answer 11

Chemical that carries messages between nerve cells in brain and throughout body. Plays in key roll in mood, digestion, wound healing, blood clotting.

Question 12

What is dopamine?

Answer 12

Chemical messenger made in brain, this plays a role in how we feel pleasure and rewards

Question 13

What is histamine?

Answer 13

A signalling chemical our immune system releases to send messages between different cells. It is known for its role in causing allergic and anaphylactic symptoms

Question 14

What are the 5 things a reflex action requires?

Answer 14

• a receptor
• a sensory neurone
• an associated neurone
• a motor neurone
• an effector

Question 15

What does sympathetic nervous system mean?

Answer 15

The part of the NS that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and pupil size

Question 16

What does the parasympathetic nervous system mean?

Answer 16

The part of the nervous system that SLOWS the heart, dilates blood vessels, decreases pupil size

Question 17

What is NOT caused by activation of parasympathetic division of the ANS?

Answer 17

Airway dilation

Question 18

What are analgesics?

Answer 18

Drugs that receive pain without loss of consciousness by eliminating the source through blocking the pathways that transmit pain to the brain

Question 19

What are anaesthetics?

Answer 19

Drugs that depress the CNS causing the absence of al perception of sensory neurones - including loss of consciousness