Nervous system

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

  Central and peripheral nervous system
• What does the central nervous system consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What are the basic functions of the central nervous system?

  Process sensory information and coordinate responses
• What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?

  All nerves outside the CNS
• What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

  Transmits information to and from the CNS
• What does the autonomic nervous system control?

  Internal bodily organs and involuntary functions
• What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
• What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

  Prepares the body for fight or flight
• What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

  Balances the sympathetic nervous system
• What is the fight or flight response?

  Body prepares for defense or escape
• What is the role of the endocrine system in the fight or flight response?

  Works alongside the sympathetic nervous system
• What happens when confronted by a vicious dog?

  You either fight or run away
• What is the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response?

  Triggers physiological arousal in emergencies
• What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?

  Conscious awareness and higher functions
• What is the function of the spinal cord?

  Passes messages to and from the brain
• What does the somatic nervous system control?

  Skeletal muscles and voluntary movements
• What is the difference between the autonomic and somatic nervous systems?

  ANS is involuntary; SNS is voluntary
• How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work together?

  Sympathetic arouses; parasympathetic calms
• What is the role of neurons in the peripheral nervous system?

  Transmit messages to and from the CNS
• What are the components of the central nervous system?

  • Brain
  • Spinal cord
• What are the components of the peripheral nervous system?

  • Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
  • Somatic nervous system (SNS)
• What are the differences between the autonomic and somatic nervous systems?

  • ANS: involuntary control
  • SNS: voluntary control
  • ANS: controls internal organs
  • SNS: controls skeletal muscles
• What are the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

  • Sympathetic: prepares for fight or flight
  • Parasympathetic: promotes rest and digest
• What vital functions does the autonomic nervous system govern?

  • Breathing
  • Heart rate
  • Digestion
  • Sexual arousal
  • Stress responses
• What is the process of the fight or flight response?

  1. Body prepares for defense or escape
  2. Triggered by emergency situations
  3. Involves physiological arousal
• What is the role of the cerebral cortex?

  • Center of conscious awareness
  • Highly developed in humans
• What is the role of the spinal cord?

  • Extension of the brain
  • Responsible for reflex actions
  • Connects nerves to the PNS
• What is the role of sensory neurons?

  • Carry messages from sense organs to CNS
• What is the role of motor neurons?

  • Transmit information from CNS to effectors
• What is the role of relay neurons?

  • Connect sensory and motor neurons
• What is synaptic transmission?

  • Process of neurotransmitter release
  • Involves excitation and inhibition
• What are neurotransmitters?

  • Chemical messengers in the nervous system
  • Facilitate synaptic transmission
• What is the role of the endocrine system?

  • Regulates hormones and glands
  • Works alongside the nervous system
• What is the role of adrenaline in the body?

  • Increases physiological arousal
  • Prepares body for emergencies
• What is the role of the nervous system in responding to the environment?

  • Processes information
  • Coordinates organ and cell functions