Animal responses

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

  Central and peripheral nervous system

  
• What does the central nervous system (CNS) consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  Connects CNS to the rest of the body
• What are the two subdivisions of the PNS?

  Somatic and autonomic nervous systems

  
• What does the somatic nervous system control?

  Conscious processes like running
• What does the autonomic nervous system control?

  Unconscious activities like breathing
• What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

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

  Initiates the 'fight or flight' response

  
• What neurotransmitter is released by sympathetic neurons?

  Noradrenaline
• What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  Triggers the 'rest and digest' response
• What neurotransmitter is released by parasympathetic neurons?

  Acetylcholine
• What is the largest part of the brain called?

  Cerebrum
• What is the function of the cerebrum?

  Involved in higher-brain functions
• What connects the two cerebral hemispheres?

  Corpus callosum
• What is the cerebral cortex?

  Thin outer layer of the cerebrum
• What role does the hypothalamus play?

  Involved in homeostatic responses
• What gland does the hypothalamus control?

  Pituitary gland
• What is the function of the cerebellum?

  Plays a role in movement and balance
• Where is the cerebellum located?

  Towards the back of the brain
• What does the medulla oblongata regulate?

  Breathing rate and heart rate
• What are reflexes?

  Rapid, unconscious actions
• Why are reflexes important?

  They protect the body from harm
• How does the blinking reflex work?

  Stimuli send impulses to the CNS
• What happens when the quadriceps muscle stretches?

  Leg straightens to maintain balance
• What is the fight or flight response?

  Prepares body for action in threats
• What hormone does the pituitary gland release during stress?

  ACTH
• What does ACTH stimulate?

  Release of steroid hormones from adrenal glands
• What does the sympathetic nervous system signal the adrenal glands to release?

  Adrenaline
• What is glycogenolysis?

  Breakdown of glycogen into glucose
• How does the body respond to stress during the fight or flight response?

  Redirects blood flow to muscles and brain
• What happens to the heart rate during the fight or flight response?

  Increases heart and breathing rate
• What effect do erector pili muscles have during stress?

  Hairs stand on end, making animals look bigger
• What is the cardiovascular control centre?

  Part of the medulla oblongata controlling heart rate
• How does the cardiovascular control centre modify heart rate?

  Sends impulses along sympathetic or parasympathetic neurons
• What are baroreceptors?

  Pressure receptors detecting blood pressure changes
• Where are baroreceptors located?

  Aortic and carotid bodies
• What do chemoreceptors detect?

  Concentration of oxygen in the blood
• What happens when blood pressure or oxygen concentration is low?

  Increases rate of SAN firing
• What neurotransmitter increases heart rate?

  Noradrenaline
• What neurotransmitter decreases heart rate?

  Acetylcholine