AOS1

The Human Nervous System

The body’s entire network of specialised cells (neurons) that transmit signals throughout different parts of the body

Stimulus

A thing/event that triggers a response/behaviour by evoking a specific functional reaction in an organ or tissue

Function of the nervous system

1. Receive information

2. process information

3. coordinate response to information

Central Nervous System

Carries information to and from the PNS, processes information received from internal and external stimulus and activates appropriate response

The Brain

The organ responsible for out thoughts, emotions and memories
→ Receives and analyses info and responds by controlling bodily function and actions
→ Activation of neural pathways that link different areas of the body)

The Spinal Cord

The long, thin bundle of nerve tissues that extends from the base of the brain to the lower back
→ Receives sensory info from PNS and sends to the brain for processing
→ Receives motor info from the brain and sends to MOG for appropriate action to occur)

Grey Matter

Mainly located near the centre of the spinal cord, made up of cell bodies, axons, and dendrites.

White matter

Axons bundled together and run the length of the spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

The entire network of nerve cells located outside of the CNS
→ Carries info from internal environment (MO) and external environment (sensory organs) to CNS
→ carries information from CNS to MOG

Receptors

Groups of specialised cells that detect a change in the environment and produce electrical Impulses in repsonse

Effectors

Parts of the body (muscles and glands) that produce a response to a detected stimulus

The Somatic Nervous System

Subdivision of the PNS responsible for voluntary movements associated with skeletal muscles.

Skeletal muscles

A muscles connected to bone that coordinates movement

Sensory (afferent) Neuron

Specialised nerve cell that transmits sensory information from sensory receptors to the CNS.

Motor (efferent) Neuron

Specialised nerve cell that transmits signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Autonomic Nervous System

Subdivision of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling involuntary responses.
→ connects CNS to the bodys visceral muscles (regulating acticity + feedback to the brain)

Viscerel muscles

smooth muscles controlled by the autonomic nervous system found in the walls of organs and structures (digestive tract blood vessels and respiratory airways)

Sympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates the fight-or-flight response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for maintaining homeostasis and normal body functions.

Flight-or-Fight-or-Freeze Response

The body's automatic psychological response to stress, resulting in escaping, confronting, or becoming immobile in response to a threat which results in a person escaping the stressor, confronting the stressor or becoming immobile

Parasympathetic vs sympaythetic