Transcript Human Nervous System

Stage 1 Psychology
Human Nervous
System
Human Nervous System
• The nervous system is made
up of several parts.
• The Central Nervous
System (CNS) is made up
of the areas encased by
bone-- the brain and spinal
cord.
• The Peripheral Nervous
System (PNS) includes the
rest of the nervous system
("peripheral" referring to the
body outside the CNS).
•
Central Nervous System
(CNS)
It’s role is to process
information supplied by the
sensory systems and other
parts of the body and to
activate appropriate actions.
• The brain is where all
information is processed.
• The spinal cord’s role is to
send sensory information to
the brain and to receive
motor information from the
brain and pass it to the rest
of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System
(PNS)
• The PNS transmits information between the
sense organs, muscles and glands and the CNS.
• It includes all parts of the nervous system
minus the brain and spinal cord. It extends to
the tips of the fingers and toes.
• The PNS can
be divided into
2 sub systems
• The Somatic
nervous system
• The Autonomic
nervous system
The somatic nervous system
(SNS)
• Also called the skeletal nervous system as it
connects skeletal muscles with the CNS enabling
voluntary movement
• Involved in all muscular movement.
• The SNS has both a sensory and motor function.
• There is a network of sensory neurons that
transmit information from the sensory receptors in
the body to the CNS.
• There are also motor neurons that carry
information from the CNS to the muscles that will
carry out the action.
(See Neuron powerpoint for more information about neurons)
The autonomic nervous system
(ANS)
• The ANS is a network of nerves that
connects the CNS with the body’s internal
organs and glands.
• It also provides feedback to the CNS on
their activities.
• Parts of the body under this control are
automatic or self-regulating. Eg. heartbeat,
breathing etc
• The ANS can be
divided up into
two systems
• The sympathetic
nervous system
• The
parasympathetic
nervous system
Sympathetic Nervous System
(SyNS)
• The SyNS is involved in preparing the body
in response to a proposed threat or
emergency.
• It activates important and dramatic changes
in the body- changes that prepare the body
for movement.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
Parasympathetic Nervous System
(PaNS)
• The PaNS is active at restful times.
• It is involved with the preservation and
maintenance of normal bodily functions eg.
digestive processes, adjusting eyes for vision.
• Important for maintaining a steady internal
environment for the body (ie. Homeostasis)
• Counteracts the activities of the SyNS after
arousal is no longer needed (ie when the perceived
threat is gone).