The Nervous System & The Endocrine System

• What is the nervous system primarily responsible for?

  Internal communication in the human body
• How does the nervous system communicate?

  Through chemical and electrical signals
• What are the main functions of the nervous system?

  • Collect, process, and respond to environmental information
  • Co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells
• What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

  • Central Nervous System
  • Peripheral Nervous System
• What are the two divisions of the Central Nervous System?

  • The Brain
  • The Spinal Cord
• What is the role of the brain in the nervous system?

  Control centre for the nervous system
• What higher functions is the brain capable of?

  Higher mental processes and conscious awareness
• What is the function of the spinal cord?

  Passes information to and from the brain
• How does the spinal cord connect to the peripheral nervous system?

  By connecting nerves to the Peripheral Nervous System
• What is the spinal cord responsible for?

  Responsible for reflexes
• What are the two divisions of the Peripheral Nervous System?

  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Somatic Nervous System
• What does the Autonomic Nervous System control?

  Vital involuntary functions of internal organs
• What is the role of the Somatic Nervous System?

  Transmits information to muscles for voluntary movement
• What are the two types of nerves in the Somatic Nervous System?

  • Sensory Nerves
  • Motor Nerves
• What is the function of the Sympathetic Nervous System?

  Prepares the body for activity
• What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System?

  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System
• What does the Parasympathetic Nervous System do?

  Returns functions back to homeostasis
• What are the effects of the Sympathetic Nervous System?

  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased breathing rate
  • Pupils dilate
  • Decreased digestion
  • Decreased salivation
• What are the effects of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

  • Decreased heart rate
  • Decreased breathing rate
  • Pupils constrict
  • Increased digestion
  • Increased salivation
• What is the Endocrine System?

  A network of glands secreting hormones
• How do hormones regulate cell activity?

  By binding with specific receptors
• What hormone does the Thyroid Gland produce?

  Thyroxine
• What effect does thyroxine have on heart rate?

  It increases heart rate
• How does thyroxine affect metabolic rates?

  It increases metabolic rates of cells
• What hormone does the Adrenal Gland produce?

  Adrenaline
• What role does adrenaline play in the body?

  Controls the 'Fight or Flight' response
• What does the Pituitary Gland control?

  The release of hormones from other glands
• Which hormones does the Pituitary Gland produce?

  LH and FSH
• What does LH stimulate in females?

  Ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone
• What does FSH stimulate in males?

  Testes to produce testosterone and sperm
• How do the Endocrine System and Autonomic Nervous System work together during stress?

  1. Stressful event occurs
  2. Hypothalamus activates pituitary gland
  3. Sympathetic Nervous System is triggered
  4. Adrenaline is released from adrenal medulla
  5. Physiological changes for fight or flight occur
  6. Parasympathetic nervous system returns body to resting state
• What happens when a stressful event occurs?

  The hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland
• What is triggered by the activation of the hypothalamus during stress?

  The Sympathetic Nervous System
• What is released from the adrenal medulla during stress?

  Adrenaline
• What physiological changes does adrenaline cause?

  Changes needed for fight or flight
• What returns the body to its resting state after stress?

  The parasympathetic nervous system