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
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller sowmyatallam. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.16. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
