UNIT 3 - KA1 Flashcards
Describe the general functions of the nervous system
The nervous system analyses information from the body and the external environment, stores some aspects and makes decisions regarding appropriate responses and behaviours
How does the nervous system make motor responses
It makes motor responses by initiating muscular contractions or glandular secretions
What is the structure of the central nervous system (CNS)
The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord
What does the peripheral nervous system connect
The peripheral nervous system connects the internal or external stimuli with the central nervous system allowing the body to respond
What does the peripheral nervous system consist of
The PNS consists of the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
What is the voluntary PNS and what does it control
The somatic nervous system is voluntary and controls skeletal muscles
What is the involuntary PNS and what does it control
The autonomic nervous system is involuntary and controls smooth muscle
Which neurons does the somatic nervous system contain
The somatic nervous system contains sensory and motor neurons
Function of sensory neurons
Sensory neurons take impulses from sense organs to the CNS
Function of motor neurons
Motor neurons take impulses from the CNS to muscles and glands
What does the autonomic nervous system consist of
The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
Which type of systems are the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are antagonistic. This means that they affect many of the same body structures exerting equal but opposite effects on them
What two main systems regulate the autonomic nervous system
There are two main system that regulate the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest)
What type of actions affect heart and breathing rate, peristalsis and intestinal secretions
The antagonistic actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
What is the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on the body
The sympathetic system speeds up heart rate and breathing rate while slowing down peristalsis and production of intestinal secretions. (Prepares body for action)
What is the effect of the parasympathetic system on the body
The parasympathetic system slows down heart rate and decreases breathing rate while increasing peristalsis and intestinal secretions
What are the three types of neural pathways
- Converging neural pathway
- Diverging neural pathway
- Reverberating pathway
Where do impulses travel in a converging neural pathway
In a converging neural pathway, impulses from serval neurons travel to one neuron
What does a converging pathway result in an increase of
This results in an increase In the neurotransmitter concentration so increases the chance of impulse firing to the next neurons
What do converging neural pathways increase sensitivity to
Converging neural pathways increase the sensitivity to excitatory or inhibitory signals
Where do impulses travel in a diverging neural pathway and example
In a diverging neural pathway, impulses from one neuron travel to several neurons so affecting more than one destination at the same time
EG fine motor movement in fingers and hand
Where do impulses travel in a reverberating neural pathway
In a reverberating pathway, neurons later in the pathway link with earlier neurons, sending the impulse back through the pathway
What do reverberating pathways allows
This allows nerve impulses to be recycles and the repeated stimulation of the pathway
Eg. Breathing
