Nervous System

• TRUE - (true or false) the Nervous System is divided into 2 parts
• Peripheral Nervous System - connects the CNS to the rest of the body; contains nerves and ganglia outside the CNS
• Somatic Nervous System - controls voluntary movement
• Cranial Nerve - under Somatic NS; carries info OUT of the brain stem
• Spinal Nerves - under Somatic NS; carry signals INTO/between the spinal cord and brain
• Sympathetic Nervous System - under Autonomic NS; "fight or flight," alerts the body systems
• Parasympathetic Nervous System - under Autonomic NS; "rest & digest"; slows down heart rate, relaxes muscles, etc.
• Central Nervous System - Brain and Spinal Cord, controls all body functions
• Brain - large organ contained in the cranium
• Spinal chord - organ within vertebral cavity
• Neurons - building blocks of the nervous system; releases NEUROTRANSMITTERS (chemical signals from one neuron to the next target cell)
• Nerve impulses - triggers the release of neurotransmitters
• PARTS OF NEURONS:

  
  

  Soma

  • cell body; contains nucleus and other organelles

  Axon

  • carries electrical signals AWAY from the cell body

  Dendrites

  • recieves signals