Divisions of the nervous system

• The human nervous system

  • A body wide system of nerve cells that collects information from the world, processes this information and then takes action by directing body organs and muscles via the transmission of electro chemical messages
• Two parts of the Human nervous system

  Central Nervous system (CNS)

  Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• Central nervous system (CNS)

  The Brain - Complex processing All conscious and most unconscious processes

  The Spinal Cord - Recieves and transmits information, some reflex processing
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

  Body wide network of messenger meurons

  • Sensory (Afferent) neurons to CNS, and Motor ( Efferent) neurons away from CNS
  • Contains ANS and SNS
• Somatic Nervous system (SNS)

  • Controls skeletal muscles (for movement)
  • Voluntary system (Under conscious control)
• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

  Controls actions of internal organs and glands

  Involuntary system (Not under conscious control)
• ANS is split into what two parts ?

  The Sympathetic

  The Parasympathetic
• Sympathetic (ANS)

  Increases bodily activities. Releases noradrenaline. Activates in stress response (Fight or Flight)

  • Heart rate increases
  • Sweat levels increase
  • Breathing rate increases
  • Dialates pupils
  • Inhibits digestion
• Parasympathetic (ANS)

  When in rest

  Decreases bodily activities. Release of Acetylcholine. Activates in rest (Rest and Digest)

  • Heart rate decreases
  • Sweat decreases
  • Breathing rate decreases
  • Constricts pupils
  • Stimulates digestion
• Homeostasis

  Regulation of the internal environment. in normal conditions there is a balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. This is called maintaining Homeostasis
• What is biopsychology 


  Uses biology to explain behavour, all behaviour can be explained via biological processes in the body including the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, cells, nervous system
• What is the nervous system

  The nervous system involves all nerves in the body including the brain and spine. it has control over all movement, reflexes, organs and bodily responses
• Central nervous system VS Somatic

  • somatic allows for voluntary movement whereas central doesn't
  • Somatic contains motor neurons and sensory whereas the central contains relay and motor
  • Somatic connects to skeletal muscle whereas central does not
• Central nervous system VS Autonomic

  • The autonomic controls internal organs and regulates the body system the central does not
  • Autonomic only contains Motor neurons whereas the central contains both relay and Motor