u3 aos1 - nervous system Flashcards
Central nervous system
comprised of the brain and spinal cord that receives information from the peripheral nervous system and sends motor information to the PNS
brain
a complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates mental processes and behaviour and regulates bodily activity
spinal cord
a cable of tissue that extends from the brain, connecting it to the PNS
peripheral nervous system
a major division of the nervous system comprising of every neuron in the body outside the CNS
somatic nervous system
network of neutrons within the body that transmit information from receptor sites to CNS, and then carry information to the muscles to initiate voluntary movement
autonomic nervous system
a division of the PNS that regulates visceral muscles, organs and glans, and transmits neural messages to the CNS about their activity
sympathetic nervous system
activates visceral muscles, organs and glands, preparing the body to respond to a threat/stressor, preparing the body for vigorous activity
parasympathetic nervous system
maintains the optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs and glands while maintaining homeostasis
conscious response
a deliberate and voluntary action to a sensory stimulus involving awareness
unconscious response
automatic and involuntary actions that occur without awareness
spinal reflex
an unconscious, involuntary and automatically occurring response to sensory stimuli without the involvement of the brain
neuron
the basic building blocks of the nervous system to communicate information around the body
sensory neurons
transmit information from the body to the brain
motor neurons
transmit information from the brain to the body
interneurons
communicate between sensory and motor neurons