Nervous system

• What is the primary function of the nervous system?

  To carry messages from and to the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body
• What are the two parts of the nervous system?

  The CNS and PNS
• How are electrical signals communicated in the nervous system?


  Through neurons that send out nerve impulses
• What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?


  • Brain
  • Spinal cord
• What are the functions of the Central Nervous System?


  It controls and regulates physiological processes, receives responses from sensory receptors, and sends them to glands or muscles
• What is the structure of the spinal cord?

  It is made up of nerve cells and is attached to the brain
• What is the brain responsible for?


  All intellectual and nervous activities within the body
• What part of the brain is responsible for higher forms of thought?

  The cerebral cortex
• What automatic processes does the brain control?


  Processes like digestion and breathing
• What are the functions of the frontal lobe?

  Speech, thought, and consciousness
• What does the parietal lobe process?


  Sensory information like temperature and pain
• What is the function of the occipital lobe?


  Processing visual information
• What is the role of the temporal lobe?


  Memory
• What does the spinal cord do?

  Sends out messages from the brain to the body
• How does the spinal cord contribute to reflexes?

  It allows for reflexes without going to the brain
• What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) responsible for?


  • Extends beyond the CNS
  • Transmits messages to/from the brain to the whole body
• What does the somatic nervous system do?


  Transmits and receives messages from the senses and directs muscles to react
• What is the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?


  Controls non-skeletal muscles like the heart and pancreas
• What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?


  1. Sympathetic branch
  2. Parasympathetic branch
• What happens in the sympathetic branch of the ANS?


  It is activated in situations that require energy, dilating eyes and decreasing digestion
• What is the role of the parasympathetic branch of the ANS?


  To conserve energy and revert blood flow back to digestion