divisions of nervous system

• What is the nervous system?

  A specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system
• What are the two main functions of the nervous system?

  To collect, process and respond to information in the environment and to coordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
• What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

  Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System
• What does the central nervous system consist of?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the brain responsible for?

  Conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes
• What does the brain stem do?

  Connects the brain and spinal cord and controls involuntary processes
• What involuntary processes does the brain stem control?

  Heart beat, breathing and consciousness
• What is the role of the spinal cord?

  To transfer messages to and from the brain, and the rest of the body
• What else is the spinal cord responsible for?

  Simple reflex actions which do not involve the brain
• What is the role of the peripheral nervous system?

  To relay messages(nerve impulses) from the CNS to the rest of the body
• What are the two components of the peripheral nervous system?

  Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System
• What is the role of the somatic nervous system?

  To carry sensory information from the outside world to the brain and provide muscle responses via the motor pathways
• What is the somatic nervous system made up of?

  Sensory receptors that carry information to the spinal cord and brain, and motor pathways that allow the brain to control movement
• What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?

  Plays an important role in homeostasis, which maintains in balance internal processes like body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure
• What is the autonomic nervous system made up of?

  Motor pathways only
• What are the two components of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous System
• What is the sympathetic nervous system typically involved in?

  Responses that prepare the body for fight or flight
• What physical responses are caused by the sympathetic nervous system?

  Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate increase, while less important functions slow down, for example digestion, salivation and urination
• What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  To relax the body, or return us to our 'normal' resting state
• What physical responses are caused by the parasympathetic nervous system?

  Slows down our heart rate and breathing rate, and reduces our blood pressure. Furthermore, any functions that were previously slowed down are started again (e.g. digestion).