intro to nervous system

Three main reasons we need nervous system

Sensory input

Integration

Motor output

What is sensory input

Where sensory receptors detect changes inside and outside the body.

includes heat, light, sound and pressure changes

the receptors convert it into an electrical signal that travels along a nerve

What is integration

When the signal reaches brain or spinal cord the information is processed and decided if action needs to be taken

What does motor output mean

If a response is needed an electrical signal is sent away from central nervous system to an effector e.g muscle or gland

an appropriate response happens

Does motor output have to be a movement

No it can impact glands or organs too

What is a sensory pathway the same as

An affector

What is a motor pathway the same as

An effector

Does the brain have to conciously recognise what is going on before a reflex

No

Where does everything happen

Central nervous system- brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system- all nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord

What happens at the central nervous system

Information is received, processed and interpreted before a response is generated

What happens at the peripheral nervous system

Information is carried to the CNS and info is sent away from CNS to other muscle or tissue

Order of how information travels through nervous system

1. Stimulus- change occurs

2. Sensory receptor- cells that detect change and convert stimulus into an electrical signal

3. Information sent in an afferent pathway to CNS

4. Info reaches spinal cord or brain which can be passed to neurons

5. Info sent in an efferent pathway via motor nerves

6. Signal reaches effector- gland or muscle

7. Response happens