PSYCHOLOGY UNIT 3 NOTES
AOS1-O1 KKDP 1 : The roles of different divisions of the nervous system (CNS and PNS and
their associated sub-divisions) in responding to and integrating and controlling with,
sensory stimuli received by the body.
The nervous system is the communication system between the body’s internal
environment (cells and organs) and the external environment.
1. Receive information
2. Process information
3. Coordinate a response
Divisions of human nervous system:
Central Nervous System: the CNS receives information from the PNS, processes a
response
and then responds. It comprises of the brain and the spinal cord.
Brain: regulates and guides all other parts of our nervous system.
- The brain is a network of cells that plays a vital role in processing information
received through neural pathways.
- It continuously receives and analyses sensory information, responding by
controlling all bodily functions.
- It is responsible for higher order functions such as planning, thinking and learning.
It is the origin of emotions, personality, humour and many other amazing
functions.
Spinal Cord: a cable-like column of nerve fibres that extends from the base of the brain
to the lower back. It is encased in a series of bones called the vertebrae that extend
further than the actual cord.
- Two major functions are receiving sensory information from the body and send
these messages to the brain for processing. For example, an itch on your big toe
is carried via the spinal cord to the brain area responsible for initially processing
this type of sensory information.
- The second function is receiving moto information from the brain and send to
relevant parts of the body, to control muscles, glands and internal organs so that
appropriate actions can be taken.
, Somatic Nervous System:
- A network of nerves that carries sensory information to the CNS and motor
information from the CNS.
- Involved in all voluntary skeletal muscle activity, talking, chewing, texting and
dancing.
- Sensory information is received at sensory receptor sites and carried along
sensory pathways by sensory neurons.
- Motor information is carried along motor pathways by motor neurons to skeletal
muscles to control their activity by causing them to contract or relax.
- Sensory
Afferent: incoming to CNS
Motor: outgoing to CNS
Efferent
Autonomic Nervous System:
- Organs/glands under its control are self-regulating and occur without conscious
effort. EG; walking or texting to breathing or digesting.
- Skeletal muscles are completely dependent on moto neuron messages. Visceral
muscles have built in self-regulating mechanisms that generate activity
regardless of consciousness.
- Regulates the activity of visceral muscles- SNS initiates, changes or stops skeletal
movement.
- ANS is usually involved in delivering afferent information which involves either an
increase or decrease in the muscle’s activity. EG; how your heart races when you
are exercising and how it begins to settle when the exercise ceases.
- It is not completely self-regulating; it is linked to the cerebral cortex so we can
also voluntarily control a few autonomic responses.
- The ANS has two subdivisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Sympathetic Nervous System:
- Activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare the body for vigorous
activity or to deal with a stressful or threatening situation.
- It is activated by a stressor or fear stimulus and enhances survival by providing an
immediate response.
- EG; dilated pupils, increased heart rate, dilated bronchi and increased production
of perspiration.
Parasympathetic Nervous System:
- Helps to maintain the body’s internal environment in a steady and balanced state
in the absence of threat.
- It has counterbalancing effect of the sympathetic nervous system activities.
- It restores the body to a calm state once the sympathetic nervous system
activates have passed.
- Dominate that of the sympathetic nervous system most of the time.
- EG; contraction of pupils, slows heart rate, increased contraction of intestine.
AOS1-O1 KKDP 2: the distinction between conscious and unconscious responses by the
nervous system to sensory stimuli, including the role of the spinal reflex.
Conscious and unconscious responses to sensory stimuli:
- CNS constantly processes sensory stimuli, and the responses may be conscious or
unconscious.
AOS1-O1 KKDP 1 : The roles of different divisions of the nervous system (CNS and PNS and
their associated sub-divisions) in responding to and integrating and controlling with,
sensory stimuli received by the body.
The nervous system is the communication system between the body’s internal
environment (cells and organs) and the external environment.
1. Receive information
2. Process information
3. Coordinate a response
Divisions of human nervous system:
Central Nervous System: the CNS receives information from the PNS, processes a
response
and then responds. It comprises of the brain and the spinal cord.
Brain: regulates and guides all other parts of our nervous system.
- The brain is a network of cells that plays a vital role in processing information
received through neural pathways.
- It continuously receives and analyses sensory information, responding by
controlling all bodily functions.
- It is responsible for higher order functions such as planning, thinking and learning.
It is the origin of emotions, personality, humour and many other amazing
functions.
Spinal Cord: a cable-like column of nerve fibres that extends from the base of the brain
to the lower back. It is encased in a series of bones called the vertebrae that extend
further than the actual cord.
- Two major functions are receiving sensory information from the body and send
these messages to the brain for processing. For example, an itch on your big toe
is carried via the spinal cord to the brain area responsible for initially processing
this type of sensory information.
- The second function is receiving moto information from the brain and send to
relevant parts of the body, to control muscles, glands and internal organs so that
appropriate actions can be taken.
, Somatic Nervous System:
- A network of nerves that carries sensory information to the CNS and motor
information from the CNS.
- Involved in all voluntary skeletal muscle activity, talking, chewing, texting and
dancing.
- Sensory information is received at sensory receptor sites and carried along
sensory pathways by sensory neurons.
- Motor information is carried along motor pathways by motor neurons to skeletal
muscles to control their activity by causing them to contract or relax.
- Sensory
Afferent: incoming to CNS
Motor: outgoing to CNS
Efferent
Autonomic Nervous System:
- Organs/glands under its control are self-regulating and occur without conscious
effort. EG; walking or texting to breathing or digesting.
- Skeletal muscles are completely dependent on moto neuron messages. Visceral
muscles have built in self-regulating mechanisms that generate activity
regardless of consciousness.
- Regulates the activity of visceral muscles- SNS initiates, changes or stops skeletal
movement.
- ANS is usually involved in delivering afferent information which involves either an
increase or decrease in the muscle’s activity. EG; how your heart races when you
are exercising and how it begins to settle when the exercise ceases.
- It is not completely self-regulating; it is linked to the cerebral cortex so we can
also voluntarily control a few autonomic responses.
- The ANS has two subdivisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Sympathetic Nervous System:
- Activates internal muscles, organs and glands to prepare the body for vigorous
activity or to deal with a stressful or threatening situation.
- It is activated by a stressor or fear stimulus and enhances survival by providing an
immediate response.
- EG; dilated pupils, increased heart rate, dilated bronchi and increased production
of perspiration.
Parasympathetic Nervous System:
- Helps to maintain the body’s internal environment in a steady and balanced state
in the absence of threat.
- It has counterbalancing effect of the sympathetic nervous system activities.
- It restores the body to a calm state once the sympathetic nervous system
activates have passed.
- Dominate that of the sympathetic nervous system most of the time.
- EG; contraction of pupils, slows heart rate, increased contraction of intestine.
AOS1-O1 KKDP 2: the distinction between conscious and unconscious responses by the
nervous system to sensory stimuli, including the role of the spinal reflex.
Conscious and unconscious responses to sensory stimuli:
- CNS constantly processes sensory stimuli, and the responses may be conscious or
unconscious.
