BIOSPHSYCHOLOGY – human nervous system
- specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal
communication system. Based on electrical and chemical signals
2 main functions:
collect, process, and respond to info in the environment
co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells
The nervous system is divided into two subsystems:
- Central nervous system
- Peripheral nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS) – made up of brain and spinal cord
- The brain is the centre of conscious awareness. The brains outer layer (cerebral
cortex) is only 3mm thick
- The brain’s divided in two hemispheres (left and right) and 4 lobes (frontal, parietal,
occipital and temporal)
- spinal cord is an extension of the brain, passing messages to and from the brain and
connects nerves to the PNS. It’s also responsible for reflex actions.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- Relays messages from the environment to the CNS via sensory neurons and from
CNS to effectors via motor neurons
further subdivided into:
Autonomic nervous system – governs vital functions in the body such as breathing,
heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal, and stress response (further divided into
sympathetic and parasympathetic NS) - involuntary
Somatic nervous system – governs muscle movement and receives information from
sensory receptors – under conscious control
.
- specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal
communication system. Based on electrical and chemical signals
2 main functions:
collect, process, and respond to info in the environment
co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells
The nervous system is divided into two subsystems:
- Central nervous system
- Peripheral nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS) – made up of brain and spinal cord
- The brain is the centre of conscious awareness. The brains outer layer (cerebral
cortex) is only 3mm thick
- The brain’s divided in two hemispheres (left and right) and 4 lobes (frontal, parietal,
occipital and temporal)
- spinal cord is an extension of the brain, passing messages to and from the brain and
connects nerves to the PNS. It’s also responsible for reflex actions.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS)
- Relays messages from the environment to the CNS via sensory neurons and from
CNS to effectors via motor neurons
further subdivided into:
Autonomic nervous system – governs vital functions in the body such as breathing,
heart rate, digestion, sexual arousal, and stress response (further divided into
sympathetic and parasympathetic NS) - involuntary
Somatic nervous system – governs muscle movement and receives information from
sensory receptors – under conscious control
.
