Human Nervous System

• What are the major sub-divisions of the human nervous system?

  Peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS)
• What are the components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  • Autonomic nervous system (ANS) - breaks down into Sympathetic nervous system + Parasympathetic nervous system
  • Somatic nervous system (SNS)
• What are the components of the central nervous system (CNS)?

  • Brain
  • Spinal cord
• What is the nervous system?

  It is a specialised network of cells in the human body
• How does the nervous system transmit information?

  It uses fast-moving electrical signals.
• What are the two main functions of the nervous system?

  1. To collect, process, and respond to information from the environment.
  2. To coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.
• What is the CNS and its role in the human body?

  It is the centre of conscious awareness and it is the origin of all complex commands and decisions.
• What distinguishes the cerebral cortex in humans from that of animals?

  It is highly developed and associated with higher mental functions.
• Which living creatures do not have a brain?

  Sea sponges, sea squirts, and jellyfish.
• How is the brain organised in terms of hemispheres?

  • The brain is divided into two hemispheres.
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  It transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the CNS.
• What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

  1. Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
  2. Somatic nervous system (SNS)
• What is the role of the autonomic nervous system (which has two divisions sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems)?


  Involuntarily governs vital functions e.g. breathing, heart rate, and digestion, and it transmits info to and from internal bodily organs
• What does the somatic nervous system control?

  Muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors.
• How does the endocrine system work with the nervous system?


  • Controls vital functions in the body.
  • Uses autonomic systems i.e. the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
• What type of signals does the endocrine system use?

  Chemical signals.
• How do the speed and duration of endocrine signals compare to nervous system signals?

  Endocrine signals are slower-moving and longer-lasting.
• What are glands and hormones and their function?

  • Glands produce hormones
  • Hormones are chemical messengers in the body which tell the body to perform specific physical or mental functions.
• How do hormones travel in the body?

  They travel via the bloodstream.
• What is the effect of most hormones on the body?

  They affect cells in several organs, leading to powerful responses.
• Do hormones cause behavior?

  No, but they influence behavior by increasing the probability of it occurring.
• What are the functions of the hypothalamus?

  • Controls body temperature.
  • Regulates water intake.
• What are the functions of the thyroid gland?

  • Releases the thyroxine hormone
  • The hormone affects cells in the heart, increasing your heart rate
  • Affects cells in the whole body increasing metabolic rates
• What are the functions of the adrenal glands?

  • Burn protein and fat.
  • Regulate blood pressure.
• What does the pancreas produce and do?

  • Insulin
  • Glucagon
  • Somatostatin
  • Regulates the level of sugar in the blood
• What is the role of the pituitary gland?

  It is the master gland that controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands.
• Role of Ovaries?


  Produce eggs and secretes female sex hormones
• Role of Testes?


  Produce sperm and testosterone (secretes male sex hormones)
• Role of Parathyroid?


  Regulate calcium levels in the blood
• What are the two main functions of the human nervous system?


  1. To collect, process, respond to info and the environment
  2. It co-ordinates the working of different organs and cells in the body
• Label the glands with the correct functions

  Here is the diagram

  A) hypothalamus

  B) pituitary gland

  C) thyroid gland

  D)

  E)

  F) parathyroids

  G) ovary

  H) testes

  I) adrenal glands

  J) pancreas

  
• Function of endocrine system

  Secretes hormones which are required to regulate many bodily functions + provides chemical system of communication via the bloodstream
• What is the role of the CNS?


  • Governs brain's role in life functions and psychological processes
  • Higher mental functions
  • Controls info transmission from spinal cord to and from the brain
  • Controls reflex behaviours
• Role of the ANS

  • It controls life-maintaining processes such as heart rate
  • Transmits info to and from internal organs
  • Sympathetic division of ANS prepares body for action
  • Parasympathetic division conserves energy