PHA1500 Structure and Function of the Human Body Module 2
Reflection Assignment
Directions: Save this document to your computer. Answer all questions
below and upload the completed document before the assignment due
date. Refer to the rubric for grading criteria.
Short Answer Questions
Directions: For each short answer question, please type your response
below the question.
1. What are some of the main differences between the sympathetic nervous
system and the parasympathetic nervous system? When are each of these
divisions activated? What are the effects of each division on the body?
Provide your answer here.
The sympathetic nervous system is part of our nervous system that
carries signals for our fight-or-flight responses. It makes a key part of how
we respond to stressful situations. It maintains homeostasis during our
everyday activities. It is activated when exercising our heartrate will
quicken as well as our breathing. Other examples include sweating, pupils
dilating, blood pressure being elevated and muscle tension to name a few.
When we are in this state it will speed up
or heart rate, deliver more blood to areas of our body that need more
oxygen.
The parasympathetic nervous system this is like the opposite. It is
responsible for rest and digest response. It is telling us to relax and recover
from what ever stressful situation that just occurred. A few ways its activated
is periods of relaxation, napping or even eating. After a stressful event has
happened we will feel the calming effect,
, our blood pressure will lower, anxiety will be lowered, stress will lower and
we should be relaxed.
2. What role do hormones play in the body? How do hormones travel from the
gland where they are produced out to target cells? What is a target cell?
Provide your answer here.
Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate various bodily
functions. They are produced by the endocrine glands and secrete into our
bloodstream. They target specific organs and cells. They play a crucial role
in maintaining homeostasis in the body and proper functioning of our
organs and systems.
The hormones travel from a gland where they are produced to the
target cell by being released into the bloodstream. It then carries them
through the body until it reaches the specific receptor.
So the target cell is what cell signal is intended to receive the hormone.
3. The brain controls the actions of all other organ systems in the body. How
does the brain communicate with the body to control the functions of
these organ systems? What is an action potential and what role do action
potentials play in the process of the brain controlling other body
functions?
Provide your answer here.
The brain communicates with the body through the nervous system. The
specialized cells called neurons send electrical signals along nerves through
out the body, reaching different organs and triggering specific actions. The
brain sends a message to the spinal cord which then goes to the nerve the
activate the organ.
Action potential is all or nothing event, when the stimulus reaches the
threshold it will send the neuron, the neuron fires at full voltage. If
Reflection Assignment
Directions: Save this document to your computer. Answer all questions
below and upload the completed document before the assignment due
date. Refer to the rubric for grading criteria.
Short Answer Questions
Directions: For each short answer question, please type your response
below the question.
1. What are some of the main differences between the sympathetic nervous
system and the parasympathetic nervous system? When are each of these
divisions activated? What are the effects of each division on the body?
Provide your answer here.
The sympathetic nervous system is part of our nervous system that
carries signals for our fight-or-flight responses. It makes a key part of how
we respond to stressful situations. It maintains homeostasis during our
everyday activities. It is activated when exercising our heartrate will
quicken as well as our breathing. Other examples include sweating, pupils
dilating, blood pressure being elevated and muscle tension to name a few.
When we are in this state it will speed up
or heart rate, deliver more blood to areas of our body that need more
oxygen.
The parasympathetic nervous system this is like the opposite. It is
responsible for rest and digest response. It is telling us to relax and recover
from what ever stressful situation that just occurred. A few ways its activated
is periods of relaxation, napping or even eating. After a stressful event has
happened we will feel the calming effect,
, our blood pressure will lower, anxiety will be lowered, stress will lower and
we should be relaxed.
2. What role do hormones play in the body? How do hormones travel from the
gland where they are produced out to target cells? What is a target cell?
Provide your answer here.
Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate various bodily
functions. They are produced by the endocrine glands and secrete into our
bloodstream. They target specific organs and cells. They play a crucial role
in maintaining homeostasis in the body and proper functioning of our
organs and systems.
The hormones travel from a gland where they are produced to the
target cell by being released into the bloodstream. It then carries them
through the body until it reaches the specific receptor.
So the target cell is what cell signal is intended to receive the hormone.
3. The brain controls the actions of all other organ systems in the body. How
does the brain communicate with the body to control the functions of
these organ systems? What is an action potential and what role do action
potentials play in the process of the brain controlling other body
functions?
Provide your answer here.
The brain communicates with the body through the nervous system. The
specialized cells called neurons send electrical signals along nerves through
out the body, reaching different organs and triggering specific actions. The
brain sends a message to the spinal cord which then goes to the nerve the
activate the organ.
Action potential is all or nothing event, when the stimulus reaches the
threshold it will send the neuron, the neuron fires at full voltage. If
