the nervous system

• The spinal cord is a long bunch of axons, extending from the end of the brain and is located in the back. The spinal column is the hard bone around the spinal cord. Information that travels to the brain goes up the spinal cord and information that travels from the brain goes down the spinal cord.
• The nervous system is made up of sensory, motor and relay neurons and consists of the brain and spinal cord
• The brain and spinal cord are the central nervous system as they are the main controllers of neural activity and behaviour. All the neurons within the brain and spinal cord are part of the CNS. Relay neurons are only present in the CNS.
• All the parts of the nervous system that are outside the brain and spinal cord are part of the peripheral nervous system.
• Sensory neurons are present in both the peripheral and central nervous system.
• Motor neurons are present in both the peripheral and central nervous system.
• The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic and autonomic nervous system
• The somatic nervous system deals with the outside world and the activities of the SNS are usually conscious. It carries information from sensory receptors to the CNS and controls the muscles in our limbs.
• The autonomic nervous system carries information to and from our internal organs and the activities of the ANS are usually unconscious. It controls vital functions such as breathing and digestion
• The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
• The sympathetic nervous system keeps the body active and alert and increases bodily activities
• The parasympathetic nervous system keeps the body rested and saves energy. It decreases bodily activities