Nervous system divisions

• what do biopsychologists believe about the nervous system?


  - assume that behaviour and experiences are (at least partly) caused by activity in the 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.

  - to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells.
• what are the two main parts of the human nervous system?

  - peripheral nervous system

  - central nervous system.
• what is the central nervous system made up of?

  brain and spinal cord
• what is the function of the brain in the CNS?

  - divided into two hemispheres

  - it is the centre of all conscious awareness ("knowing")
• what is the function of the spinal cord in the CNS?

  - an extension of the brain

  - it is responsible for reflex actions
• what is the peripheral nervous system?

  transports messages via billions of neurons to and from the central nervous system.
• what is the peripheral nervous system made up of?

  - somatic nervous system

  - autonomic nervous system
• what is the function of the somatic nervous system?

  receives information from sensory receptors and is responsible for voluntary muscle movement directed from the motor cortex. Also involved in the non voluntary reflex actions.
• what is the function of the autonomic nervous system?


  governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, digestion and stress responses from control centres in the brain stem. Involved in fight or flight response and restoring the body after that response.
• what is the autonomic nervous system sub divided into?

  - parasympathetic nervous system

  - sympathetic nervous system
• what is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  maintains and conserves body energy and functions. ("rest and digest")
• what is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

  prepares the body to expend energy to deal with a threat.
• what are some examples of body responses to the parasympathetic nervous system?

  - stimulates flow of saliva

  - slows heartbeat

  - constricts bronchi

  - stimulates peristalsis and secretion

  - stimulates release of bile

  - contracts bladder
• what are some examples of body responses to the sympathetic nervous system?

  - dilates pupils

  - inhibits flow of saliva

  - accelerates heartbeat

  - dilates bronchi

  - inhibits peristalsis and secretion

  - conversion of glycogen to glucose

  - secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline

  - inhibits bladder contraction