Nervous system

• What is the nervous system?

  The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and fibres that transmit nerve impulses between different parts of the body. React to external stimuli & coordinate body systems.
• What is the central nervous system?

  The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord and receives all information from the other nervous systems.
• What is the brain?

  Organ of the central nervous system responsible for processing information and is the coordination centre of sensation & intellectual and nervous activity.
• What is the spinal cord?

  The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibres that extends from the base of the brain to the lower back. Responsible for reflex actions.
• What is the peripheral nervous system?

  The peripheral nervous system is the part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
• What is the somatic nervous system?

  The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements and transmits signals to and from the senses and muscles.
• What is the autonomic nervous system?

  The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary movements and the organs of the body.
• What is the sympathetic nervous system?

  The part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for fight or flight responses.
• What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

  Responsible for restoring the body to resting levels.
• Compare the somatic and autonomic nervous system:

  Somatic :

  • Voluntary movement
  • Contain both sensory & motor neurons
  • Motor neurones end with muscles which allow contraction

  Autonomic:

  • Involuntary (i.e. heart rate, breathing)
  • Only certain motor neurones
  • Motor neurones end at the vital organs
• Label the order of the nervous system:

  .

  A) Central

  B) brain

  C) spinal cord

  D) peripheral

  E) somatic

  F) autonomic

  G) sympathetic

  H) parasympathetic