10/12/25, 4:10 PM Nervous system + Endocrine system
Nervous system + Endocrine system
Overview
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Neurons
Synaptic transmission
Nervous system
¬ a network of nerve cells that is used as our primary communication system. It collects i
environment, processes it and outputs a response using electro-chemical messengers.
It is divided into:
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Central nervous system —
This is where the processing side of the nervous system occurs, through the brain and sp
role in input and output of information as well, such as to the PNS.
Brain: centre of all conscious processing such as speech, and a few unconscious proces
involuntary muscle movement.
Spinal cord: responsible for reflex actions e.g. pulling hand away from hot object. Transm
from brain. Connects nerves to PNS. It can also handle reflexes in terms of internal organ
is mostly the brain.
If a question asks you about the CNS, do not bother with neurons such as sensory, moto
parts of the brain (e.g. motor area, temporal lobe, language centres) or the spinal cord (in
https://app.vaia.com/studyset/17951934/summary/70893775/edit 1/14
, 10/12/25, 4:10 PM Nervous system + Endocrine system
Peripheral nervous system —
This system is largely involved in transmitting messages to and from nervous system thro
(it is the bit that lies outside the brain and spinal cord, made out of neurons, whose purpo
information but can also deal with carrying out unconscious processes)
Autonomic nervous system (ANS): controls vital internal functions (mostly unconscious/a
breathing, heart rate, sexual arousal
- Parasympathetic nervous system: normal resting state (think of it as like paralysis is sto
like resting??)
- Sympathetic nervous system: physiologically aroused state which releases the hormone
glands into the bloodstream.
Somatic nervous system (SNS): transmits information from brain to sensory receptors/eff
movement (mostly voluntary conscious movements). Also transmits sensory information f
to the CNS (or brain).
https://app.vaia.com/studyset/17951934/summary/70893775/edit 2/14
Nervous system + Endocrine system
Overview
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Neurons
Synaptic transmission
Nervous system
¬ a network of nerve cells that is used as our primary communication system. It collects i
environment, processes it and outputs a response using electro-chemical messengers.
It is divided into:
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Central nervous system —
This is where the processing side of the nervous system occurs, through the brain and sp
role in input and output of information as well, such as to the PNS.
Brain: centre of all conscious processing such as speech, and a few unconscious proces
involuntary muscle movement.
Spinal cord: responsible for reflex actions e.g. pulling hand away from hot object. Transm
from brain. Connects nerves to PNS. It can also handle reflexes in terms of internal organ
is mostly the brain.
If a question asks you about the CNS, do not bother with neurons such as sensory, moto
parts of the brain (e.g. motor area, temporal lobe, language centres) or the spinal cord (in
https://app.vaia.com/studyset/17951934/summary/70893775/edit 1/14
, 10/12/25, 4:10 PM Nervous system + Endocrine system
Peripheral nervous system —
This system is largely involved in transmitting messages to and from nervous system thro
(it is the bit that lies outside the brain and spinal cord, made out of neurons, whose purpo
information but can also deal with carrying out unconscious processes)
Autonomic nervous system (ANS): controls vital internal functions (mostly unconscious/a
breathing, heart rate, sexual arousal
- Parasympathetic nervous system: normal resting state (think of it as like paralysis is sto
like resting??)
- Sympathetic nervous system: physiologically aroused state which releases the hormone
glands into the bloodstream.
Somatic nervous system (SNS): transmits information from brain to sensory receptors/eff
movement (mostly voluntary conscious movements). Also transmits sensory information f
to the CNS (or brain).
https://app.vaia.com/studyset/17951934/summary/70893775/edit 2/14
