AO1 The divisions of the nervous system: Central and Peripheral (somatic and autonomic)

Central nervous system

Consists of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS. Processes, interprets and stores information and issues orders to muscles, glands and organs.

Peripheral nervous system

Sends and receives messages to and from the CNS. Sub divided into the autonomic and somatic nervous system

Autonomic nervous system

Governs vital functions in the body such as breathing, heart rate and stress responses. Controls organs including the heart, lungs, eyes and stomach/ Sub divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Somatic nervous system

Consists of nerve carrying sensory signals from the eyes, ears, skeletal muscles and the skin to the CNS. Contains the nerves that carry the messages from the brain to other areas of the body. Controls muscle movement and receives information from sensory receptors.

Difference between ANS and SNS pathways

SNS has sensory and motor pathways, whereas ANS only has motor pathways

Difference between ANS and SNS control

SNS controls skeletal muscles and movement, whereas ANS controls internal organs and glands

Difference between ANS and SNS control centres

SNS carries commands from the motor cortex, whereas ANS controls centres are in the brain stem