Nervous system

Cards (4)

  • What are the two subsystems the nervous system is divided into?
    • Central nervous system (CNS)
    • Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)
  • Describe the central nervous system:
    Made up of the brain and the spinal cord
    • Brain = cerebral cortex is outer layer and highly developed in humans
    • Spinal cord = Connects the brain to the PNS and is responsible for reflex actions
  • Describe the peripheral nervous system:
    The PNS transmits messages via millions of neurons to and from the CNS. It is further subdivided into the:
    • Autonomic nervous system = governs vital functions within the body such as breathing, heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
    • Somatic nervous system = governs muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors
  • What is the autonomic nervous system further subdivided into:
    • Sympathetic nervous system = Prepares body for fight or flight
    • Parasympathetic = Returns body to normal after fight or flight. sends messages to organs to reverse the effects of sympathetic