The nervous system

• What are the two main components of the nervous system?

  The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• What is the structure of the nervous system?

  • Central Nervous System (CNS)
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Somatic Nervous System
• What does the CNS consist of?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the primary function of the brain within the CNS?

  It provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes
• What are the four main lobes of the brain?

  • Frontal Lobe
  • Temporal Lobe
  • Parietal Lobe
  • Occipital Lobe
• What is the function of the occipital lobe?

  It processes visual information
• What does the temporal lobe process?

  Auditory information
• What is the role of the parietal lobe?

  It integrates information from different senses and plays an important role in spatial navigation
• What higher-order functions is the frontal lobe associated with?

  Abstract reasoning, planning, and logic
• What is the function of the brain stem?

  It connects the brain and spinal cord and controls involuntary processes
• What is the role of the spinal cord?

  It transfers messages to and from the brain and is responsible for simple reflex actions
• What is the primary role of the PNS?

  To relay messages from the CNS to the rest of the body
• What are the two main components of the PNS?

  1. Somatic nervous system
  2. Autonomic nervous system
• What is the role of the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

  It controls communication between the CNS and the outside world
• What does the SNS consist of?

  It is made up of sensory receptors and motor pathways
• What is the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

  It maintains internal processes such as homeostasis
• What are the two components of the autonomic nervous system?

  The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
• What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

  It prepares the body for fight or flight responses
• What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

  It relaxes the body and returns it to its normal state
• What are the similarities and differences between the CNS and PNS?

  Similarities:

  • Both control involuntary processes

  Differences:

  • CNS provides conscious awareness; PNS relays messages
  • CNS has multiple regions for different functions; PNS has two main components
• How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect heart rate and blood pressure?

  It slows down heart rate and breathing rate and reduces blood pressure
• What are the similarities and differences between the autonomic and somatic nervous systems?

  Similarities:

  • Both are part of the peripheral nervous system

  Differences:

  • Autonomic controls glands and internal organs; somatic controls muscles and movement
  • Autonomic has two components; somatic has one
• What are the similarities and differences between the sympathetic and somatic nervous systems?

  Similarities:

  • Both respond to external stimuli

  Differences:

  • SNS prepares for fight or flight; somatic controls movement
  • SNS has only motor pathways; somatic has sensory and motor pathways