nervous system

• outline the function of the central nervous system

  receives information from senses and controls the body's responses
• what are the 2 divisions of the CNS?

  1. sympathetic nervous system
  2. parasympathetic nervous system
• outline the sympathetic nervous system

  processes that help us in emergencies

  • spurs body into action to deal with threats
  • e.g. fight or flight response
• outline the parasympathetic nervous system

  calm body back down after arousal

  • calms heart and lungs
  • allows for normal "resting" functions to resume
• what are the 2 main nervous systems?

  1. central nervous system
  2. peripheral nervous system
• what is the nervous system?

  specialised network of cells in the human body

  • primary internal communication system
• what are the 2 main functions of the nervous system?

  1. collect, process and respond to information in environment
  2. co-ordinate working of different organs and cells
• what is the central nervous system made up of?

  brain and spinal cord
• what is the function of the brain in the CNS?

  centre of all conscious awareness

  • cerebral cortex distinguishes mental functions from animals
  • divided into two hemispheres
• what is the function of the spinal cord in the CNS?

  extension of the brain

  • reflex actions
  • pass messages to and from the brain
  • connects nerves to the PNS
• outline the function of the peripheral nervous system

  transmits message via neurons to and from the central nervous system
• what are the 2 divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

  1. autonomic nervous system
  2. somatic nervous system
• outline the function of the autonomic nervous system

  governs vital functions in the body

  • e.g. breathing, heart rate, digestion and stress responses
• what's the function of the somatic nervous system?

  controls muscle movements and receives information from sensory receptors
• outline the role of the ANS with the parasympathetic nervous system

  slows heart rate

  • stimulates saliva flow, stomach, pancreas and bile release
• outline the role of the ANS with the sympathetic nervous system 


  accelerates heart rate

  • inhibits saliva flow, converts glycogen to glucose, secretes adrenaline
• what's the largest part of the brain?

  cerebral cortex
• what are the 4 lobes that make up the cerebral cortex?

  1. frontal lobe - thought, planning, motivation and speech production
  2. parietal lobe - motor movements and sensory information
  3. temporal lobe - language comprehension, hearing and memory
  4. occipital lobe - visual processing

  
• what is the function of the brain stem?

  controls heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing and breathing
• what's the function of the cerebellum?

  coordinate balance and fine muscle movements
• what are the 4 internal structures of the brain?

  1. thalamus
  2. hypothalamus
  3. hippocampus
  4. corpus callosum

  
• outline the function of the thalamus

  relay station for nerve impulses from senses
• outline the function of the hypothalamus

  regulation of body temperature, hunger and thirst

  • links endocrine and nervous system
  • controls release of hormones from pituitary gland
• outline the function of the hippocampus

  holds short term memories and transfers them to LTM

  • aids emotional responses and anxiety
• outline the function of the corpus callosum

  transfers information from one hemisphere to the other