The division of the nervous system

• The nervous system has 2 main functions. One function is to collect and process and respond to information in the environment. The other function is to coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body. The two main divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
• CNS passes messages to and from from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS. The CNS is made up of the brain and the spinal cord.
• Brain- Centre of all conscious awareness. Brain outer layer, the cerebral cortex, highly developed in humans and is what distinguishes our higher mental functions from there animals.
• Spinal Chord- Spinal is an extension of the brain and it helps the transfer of messages to and from the brain. Brain stem connects brain and spinal chord. 31 parts of spinal nerves arise from the spinal chord.
• PNS stands for peripheral nervous system
• PNS extends from the CNS and transfers messages to the whole body from the brain and vice versa.
• Somantic nervous system- Transmit and relieve messages from the senses such as visual information, messages from the eyes and information from the ears.
• Autonomic nervous system- Helps transmit and receive information from the organs
• Differences between the SNS and ANS:

  1.SNS has sensory and motor pathways. ANS only has motor pathways

  2.SNS controls skeletal muscles movement. ANS Controls internal organs and glands of the body

  3.SNS under conscious control. ANS involved with involuntary/unconscious solution
• Learn diagram on page 3 on biopsychology.