The Nervous System

The Nervous System

Psychology 101

​Big Question to Answer

​What are the two major divisions of the nervous system, and what are their basic functions?

​The Nervous System

​Two systems work to send and take in information from the surrounding environment

​1. Central Nervous System - Brain and spinal cord bundled with nerves is the body's decision maker

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​2. Peripheral Nervous System - Gathers information from other body parts and transmits CNS decisions to the rest of the body

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​Nerves - Electrical cables formed of bundles of axons that send and receive these messages

​Link CNS to sensory receptors, muscles, and glands

​Sending......

​- Sensory neurons: Carry messages from your body's tissues and sensory receptors inward to your spinal cord and brain for processing

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​- Motor neurons: Carry instructions from your central nervous system out to your body's muscles and glands

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​- Interneurons - Within your body and spinal cord communicate with one another and process information between the sensory input and motor output

Multiple Choice

What are the two nervous systems that are used in the human body?

• Central and Peripheral

• Central and Perpendicular

• Moderate and Severe

• Central and Parallel

The Peripheral System

​- Two subdivisions of the peripheral system: Somatic and Autonomic

​- Somatic: Monitors sensory input and triggers motor output (Moving muscles, taking step, lifting weights: Control over skeletal and muscles)

-Autonomic Nervous System: Controls glands, muscles of your internal organs, including heart and digestive systems

​TWO SUBDIVISONS OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM - Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

​Sympathetic - More alert - Increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar level

​Parasympathetic - calms down - conserve your energy and decrease your heart rate

​The Central Nervous System

​- The brain is the control center for sending and receiving signals to the body

​-Estimates of over 86 billion neurons make up the complexity of your brain

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​- Brain takes up 2% weight but 20% of energy

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​- Brain neurons try to cluster or be closer together to make the connection easier (learning piano, or history, or riding a bike)

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​- Neurons that fire together wire together

​The Central Nervous System Cont.

​- The spinal cord is a two way highway. Information going up to the brain and down to the body

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​- Connects the brain to everything which is why we have reflexes (Knee tap is one of these connections)

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​- Spinal cord damage can lead to loss of connection which can lead to paralysis and loss of feelings

Multiple Choice

The central nervous systems is made up of what two parts of the body?

• Brain and spinal cord

• Brain and loose nerves

• Brain and Peripheral

• Brain and Pinky

Open Ended

What are the two major divisions of the nervous system and how do those division function?