AO1

• The human nervous system collects information from the world, and processes this information.
• The central nervous system is responsible for complex processing of information and is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
• The spinal cord is an extension of the brain.
• The peripheral nervous system transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the central nervous system.
• The brain provides conscious awareness and is involved in all psychological processes.
• The brain consists of four main lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital.
• The occipital lobe processes visual information and is located at the back of the brain.
• The temporal lobe processes auditory information.
• The parietal lobe integrates information from the different senses and therefore plays an important role in spacial navigation.
• The frontal lobe is associated with higher-order functions, including planning, abstract reasoning and logic.
• The peripheral nervous system consists of two main components: somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.
• The somatic nervous system facilitates communication between the central nervous system and the outside world.
• The somatic nervous system is made up of sensory receptors that carry information to the spinal cord and brain, and motor pathways that allow the brain to control movement.
• The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and sexual arousal.
• The autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
• The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for fight or flight.
• The parasympathetic nervous system slows down the nervous system back to rest and digest.