Unit 3, Aos 1, Dp 1

Question 1

Main functions of NS

Answer 1

1. receive information
2. process information
3. coordinate a response

Question 2

CNS

Answer 2

a major division of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord, which receives neural messages from and transmits neural messages to the peripheral nervous system

Question 3

CNS functions

Answer 3

• processes information from the internal and external environment
• formulates responses to this information

Question 4

Brain

Answer 4

a complex organ contained within the skull that coordinates
mental processes and behaviour, and regulates bodily activity

Question 5

Brain functions

Answer 5

● Often considered to be the ‘control centre’
● Controls physiological and psychological processes
● Enables you to perceive, interact with, and respond to the world around you

Question 6

Spinal cord

Answer 6

a cable of nerve tissue that extends from the brain, connecting
it to the peripheral nervous system

Question 7

Spinal cord functions

Answer 7

● Encased by the spinal column (backbone/spine)
● If severed, all movement and sensation below is lost
● Composed of afferent tracts - transmitting sensory messages from the PNS to the brain
● Composed of efferent tracts - transmitting motor messages from the brain to the PNS
● Therefore is the route via which neural information travels between the brain and the body

Question 8

Peripheral Nervous System

Answer 8

a major division of the nervous system comprising every
neuron in the body outside the central nervous system

Question 9

Peripheral Nervous System functions

Answer 9

● Transmits neural messages between the CNS and the body
● These neurons are outside the brain and spinal cord - therefore in the periphery of your body
● Connects the CNS with your external world

Question 10

Subdivisions of PNS

Answer 10

1. Somatic
2. Automatic

Question 11

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 11

a division of the peripheral nervous system that transmits
neural messages related to voluntary motor movement

Question 12

Somatic Nervous System Functions

Answer 12

● Comprises:
○ sensory neural pathways, which are made up of sensory
neurons.
○ motor neural pathways, which are made up of motor neurons
● Transmits neural messages between sensory receptors, the CNS and skeletal muscles

Question 13

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 13

a division of the peripheral nervous system that regulates visceral muscles, organs, and glands, and transmits neural messages to the central nervous system about their activity

Question 14

Autonomic Nervous System functions

Answer 14

● The visceral muscles, organs and glands are predominantly self-regulating and do not require conscious control
● Involved in unconscious responses
● The visceral muscles, organs and glands that are controlled by the autonomic nervous system are →
○ However! Sometimes we can control these things too i.e. slowing your breathing down

Question 15

Autonomic Nervous System subdivisions

Answer 15

1. The Sympathetic Nervous System
2. The Parasympathetic Nervous System

Question 16

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 16

a division of the autonomic nervous system that activates
visceral muscles, organs, and glands, preparing the body to respond to a threat or stressor

Question 17

Sympathetic Nervous System functions

Answer 17

● Dominates in emergencies and stressful situations i.e. fight-flight response
● Organs and glands are activated in specific ways help energise the body and be better able to deal with a threat or stressor or engage in high levels of physical activity

Question 18

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 18

a division of the autonomic nervous system that maintains the
optimal and balanced functioning of visceral muscles, organs, and glands

Question 19

Parasympathetic Nervous System functions

Answer 19

● Dominates in a relaxed state i.e. rest and digest
● Two main functions
○ Responsible for maintaining optimal levels i.e. homeostasis
○ It also returns the body to balanced and ideal levels of
functioning after the heightened arousal of a sympathetic
response

Question 20

Neuron

Answer 20

a nerve cell that receives and transmits neural information

Question 21

Sensory neuron

Answer 21

(also known as afferent neurons) neurons that transmit information (sensory neural messages) about the body’s
sensations from the PNS to the CNS

Question 22

Motor neuron

Answer 22

(also known as efferent neurons) neurons that transmit information (motor neural messages) about movement from the CNS to the PNS

Question 23

Interneuron

Answer 23

neurons that transfer impulses between sensory and motor neurons → only in CNS