the nervous system

• what are the two parts of the nervous system?

  the CNS and the PNS
• what parts make up the CNS?

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

  relay info between the brain and the body

  contains some simple reflex arcs of nerves
• what are the main parts of the brain?

  cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon, brain stem
• what is the cerebrum?

  the largest part of the brain, divided into lobes

  is split into two hemispheres
• what is the cerebellum?


  sits beneath the cerebrum

  involved in motor skills and balance, co-ordination
• what is the diencephalon?

  beneath the cerebrum and on top of brain stem

  contains hypothalamus and the thalamus (controls homeostasis and hormones from pituitary, acts as a link between the nervous and endocrine system)
• what is the brain responsible for?

  regulating the automatic functions essential for life
• what is the PNS made up of?

  all the nerves outside of the spine and brain
• what are the two parts of the PNS?

  the somatic nervous system

  the autonomic nervous system
• what is the somatic nervous system ?

  Voluntary movements
• what is the autonomic nervous system?

  involuntary movements eg vital bodily functions
• what are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?

  the sympathetic and parasympathetic
• what is the sympathetic nervous system?

  involved in emergency situations, fight or flight: increases heart rate, blood pressure and dilates blood vessels in muscles, pupils dilate, slows digestion
• what is the parasympathetic nervous system?

  returns the body to normal after fight or flight

  would slow heartbeat again and reduces blood pressure, digestion is no longer inhibited

  'rest and digest'