The Nervous System

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  • The Nervous System
    • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
      • Sympathetic Nervous System
        • Neurons from the SNS travel to most organs and glandsto prepare the body
        • It uses the neurotransmitter noradrenaline
        • Such as, increasing heart rate, breathing rate, dilating blood vessels
        • The SNS is involved with the fight or flight response
      • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
        • The ANS has two parts the sympathetic and parasympathetic NS which regulate the same organs but do the opposite
        • Involuntary actions are controlled by the ANS
        • Involuntary actions include breathing, swallowing and digestion
      • Parasympathetic Nervous System
        • The PNS slows down heart rate and breathing rate
        • The PNS relaxes somebody after an emergency has passed
        • It works opposing the SNS
        • It uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
      • Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
        • The nerves have both sensory and motor neurons
        • 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
        • Sensory neurons relay info to the CNS and motor neurons relay info from the CNS
        • It is also involved in reflex actions without the involvement of the CNS
    • Central Nervous System (CNS)
      • It comprises of the brain and the spinal cord
      • It regulates the body's physiological processes
      • The brain receives info from the sensory receptors and sends it to muscles and glands
      • The spinal cord relays info between the brain and the rest o the body
      • The brain is in four parts: cerebrum; cerebellum; brain stem + diencephalon
        • The cerebrum is the largest part and is divided into 4 lobes. It is also split into 2 cerebral hemispheres
        • The brain stem regulates automatic functions e.g. breathing, swallowing and heart beats
        • The cerebellum is at the back of the brain and controls motor functions
        • The diencephalon lies above the brain stem and includes the thalamus and hypothalamus
          • The hypothalamus regulates body temp, hunger and thirst. It also is connected to the release of hormones
          • The thalamus acts as a relay station for incoming nerve impulses

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