Topic 3 - The Peripheral Nervous System

Question 1

Describe the Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 1

The overall role of the PNS is to carry messages to and from the CNS to the rest of the body, such as your limbs and organs

Question 2

Identify the structures of a neuron

Answer 2

1. Cell Body
2. Axon
3. Axon Terminal
4. Myelin Sheath
5. Dendrites
6. Nucleus

Question 3

Outline the role of each neuron structure - cell body

Answer 3

Cell Body → houses the nucleus and maintains neuron’s health

Question 4

how do neurons communicate

Answer 4

Electrical Signal:
Arrival at Axon Terminal:
Release of Neurotransmitters:
Binding to Receptors:
New Electrical Signal:

Question 5

describe the somatic nervous system

Answer 5

controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements, such as waving, putting your hand up, reaching for something

Question 6

describe The Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 6

controls involuntary actions, such as breathing, heart rate, sweating, digestion, and homeostasis

Question 7

Outline the role of each neuron structure - axon

Answer 7

Axon → carries electrical impulse from the cell body to the axon terminals

Question 8

Outline the role of each neuron structure - axon terminal

Answer 8

Axon Terminal → carries the impulse to the next neuron

Question 9

Outline the role of each neuron structure - myelin sheath

Answer 9

Myelin Sheath → a fatty layer covering in the axon terminal to speed up the nerve impulse along the axon

Question 10

Outline the role of each neuron structure - dendrites

Answer 10

Dendrites → branch-like structures that receive messages from other neurons

Question 11

Outline the role of each neuron structure - nucleus

Answer 11

Nucleus → control center of the neuron (making sure the neuron is doing its job correctly and surviving)