Lecture notes: Biopsychology - 2.1.1The nervous system
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Course
Biopsychology
Institution
AQA
Detailed notes on The nervous system. Detailed diagrams breaking down the nervous system
Provided key words and summaries that will help answer a range of questions (AO1,AO2,AO3)
The nervous system
KEY TERMS:
● Nervous system - consists of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
● Central nervous system (CNS) - consists brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all
complex commands and decisions
● Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - sends info to CNS from the outside world and transmits
messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
● Somatic Nervous System (SNS) - transmits info from receptor cells in the sense organs to
the CNS. it also received info from the CNS that directs muscles to act
● Autonomic Nervous system (ANS) - transmits info to and from internal bodily organs. It’s
autonomic as the system operates involuntarily (i.e. it’s autonomic).it has 2 main divisions:
the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM:
Specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal
communication system
2 main functions:
● Collect, process and respond to info in the environment
● Co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body
Divided into 2 subgroups:
● CNS
● PNS
THE CNS:
Made up our brain and spinal cord
● Brain is the centre of all conscious awareness
● Brain’s outer layer, the cerebral cortex, highly developed in humans and is what
distinguishes our higher mental functions from those of animals
● Only few creatures don’t have brains
● The brain is divided into 2 hemispheres
● Spinal cord is an extension of the brain.
Responsible for reflex actions e.g. pulling hand
away from hot pan
THE PNS:
Transmits messages via millions of neurons (nerve cells) to
and from the CNS
PNS has another 2 sub-divisions:
● Autonomic nervous system - governs vital functions in the body e.g. breathing, heart hate,
digestion, sexual arousal and stress responses
● Somatic nervous system - controls muscle movement and receives info from sensory
receptors
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