PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, GRADED A+/[LATEST EXAM UPDATES]

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, GRADED A+/ Autonomic Nervous System - -• The autonomic nervous system is a subdivision of the PNS that connects the CNS to the body's internal organs and glands providing feedback to the brain about their activities. The ANS is called 'autonomous' because many of the organs, glands and processes under its controlled are self-regulating and not usually under voluntary control. Biofeedback - -• The ANS is not completely self -regulating. There are a few responses that we can control at certain times such as blinking, heart beat and breathing rate. • Biofeedback a process by which a person receives information about the state of an internal bodily activity that normally occurs automatically and then uses thought processes to exert control over that activity through the use of a strategy in order to control the particular autonomic response. Difference between autonomic and somatic nervous systems - -• Unlike the somatic nervous system which is responsible for initiating skeletal muscle movement, the ANS regulates the activity of the visceral muscles, organs and glans. Thus the messages carried between the CNS and visceral muscles, organs and glands either increase or decrease their respective activities to meet varying demands placed on the body. Divisions of the ANS - -• Most visceral muscles, organs and glands receive messages from two sets of neurons that produce opposite effects and come from two distinct divisions of the ANS: o The sympathetic nervous system; responsible for increasing the activity of most visceral muscles, organs and glands in times of vigorous activity, stress or threat. o The parasympathetic nervous system; responsible for decreasing the activity of most visceral muscles, organs and glands and restoring body functioning to its normal state. • While the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are both active at the same time, one system usually dominates the other at any given time. Functions - -• Also involved in the elimination of wastes and protection of the visual system through the production of tears and through automatic pupil constriction in conditions of bright light.