All Flashcards
What is the Central Nervous System (CNS)?
The brain and spinal cord; the command center of the nervous system.
What is the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
All the nerves outside the CNS; the messengers relaying signals between the body and brain.
What is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Part of the PNS that regulates involuntary, unconscious processes essential for survival.
What is the Somatic Nervous System (SNS)?
Part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements and behaviors under conscious control.
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
The division of the ANS that triggers 'fight or flight' responses.
What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
The division of the ANS responsible for 'rest and digest' functions.
What is the function of afferent nerve fibers?
Transmit sensory information from receptors in the skin, muscles, and organs to the brain and spinal cord.
What is the function of efferent nerve fibers?
Carry motor commands from the central nervous system to effectors like muscles and glands to produce responses and behaviors.
Define 'fight or flight' response.
The body's physiological reaction to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival.
Define 'rest and digest'.
The parasympathetic nervous system's function to conserve energy and maintain homeostasis during relaxed states.
Give an example of the sympathetic nervous system in action.
Heart rate increasing and pupils dilating when encountering a bear in the woods.
Provide an example of the parasympathetic nervous system in action.
Slowing heart rate and stimulating digestion after eating a meal.
How does the somatic nervous system allow you to type on a keyboard?
Voluntary control of skeletal muscles in your fingers and hands allows you to press the keys.
How is the autonomic nervous system involved in regulating body temperature?
It controls sweating (cooling) and shivering (warming) without conscious effort.
Describe a situation where both the sympathetic and somatic nervous systems are active.
Running away from a threat (sympathetic) while consciously planning your route (somatic).
How does the nervous system respond to a loud noise?
Sensory system processes the noise, sympathetic nervous system activates (increased heart rate), somatic nervous system may initiate movement.
How does the parasympathetic nervous system help after a stressful event?
It returns the body to a state of calm by decreasing heart rate and constricting pupils.
How does the somatic nervous system enable sensation of touch?
Through afferent nerve fibers that transmit touch information from the skin to the brain.
How is the autonomic nervous system essential for survival?
It regulates vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion without our conscious awareness.
How does the nervous system help you learn a new skill?
By storing memories and enabling learning through complex neural activity in the CNS.
What is the function of the CNS?
Processes sensory information and sends out motor commands to control movement, behavior, and internal processes. Integrates and coordinates all neural activity.
What is the role of the PNS?
Serves as a communication relay between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. Collects sensory information and carries motor commands.
Explain the concept of homeostasis in relation to the ANS.
The ANS maintains homeostasis through the opposing actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, regulating vital functions.
Describe the function of the somatic nervous system.
Controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and allows us to interact with the external environment through sensations.
What is the main function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Prepares the body for action in emergency situations by triggering the 'fight or flight' response.
What is the main function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Conserves energy and maintains homeostasis by promoting 'rest and digest' functions during relaxed states.
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems work together?
They work in opposition to maintain balance and homeostasis in the body's internal environment.
Explain the role of sensory receptors in the SNS.
Sensory receptors in the skin and muscles provide information about the body's position and external stimuli.
How does the nervous system enable learning and memory?
The CNS stores memories, enables learning, and generates our perceptions and subjective experiences.
What is the relationship between afferent and efferent nerve fibers?
Both systems contain afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) nerve fibers that transmit signals between the central nervous system and the periphery.