Nervous system

• What is the nervous system?

  A specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
• What is the nervous system based on?

  Electrical and chemical signals
• What two subsystems is the nervous system divided itno?

  Central nervous system & Peripheral nervous system
• What are the two main functions of the nervous system?

  1 . Collect, process and respond to information in the environment

  2 . Co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
• What is the CNS made up of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• How thick is the brain's cerebral cortex?

  3mm
• What is the brain's outer layer called?

  Cerebral cortex
• The brain is the centre of all conscious awareness
• The brain is highly developed in humans and is what distinguishes our higher mental functions from other animals
• What is the brain divided into?

  Two hemispheres
• What is the spinal cord?

  An extension of the brain
• What is the function of the spinal cord?

  Passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS - also responsible for reflex actions
• How does the PNS transmit messages?

  Via neurons
• What is the function of the PNS?

  Transmits messages to and from the central nervous system
• What is the PNS subdivided into?

  Autonomic nervous system & Somatic nervous system
• What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

  Governs vital functions in the body; breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal, stress responses
• What is the function of the somatic nervous system?

  Governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
• What is the CNS the origin of?

  All complex commands and decisions
• Where does the autonomic nervous system transmit information to and from?

  Internal bodily organs
• What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems