What is the nervous system?
A network of cells in the human body based on electrical and chemical signals
What is the function of the brain and the spinal cord individually in the CNS?
Brain- centre of all conscious awareness
Spinal cord- passes messages to and from the brain and connects nerves to the PNS
What does the Peripheral NS do?
Transmits messages to and from the CNS. It is further subdivided into the autonomic NS and the somatic NS
What does the Autonomic NS govern?
Vital functions in the body such as the breathing,heart rate
What does the somatic NS govern?
Muscle movement and receives information from the sensory receptors
What does thyroxine from the thyroid gland do?
Increases heart rate and increases metabolic rates which affects growth rate
What does the pituitary gland control?
Controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body
What does adrenaline from the adrenal gland do?
Triggers changes in the body (e.g increased heart rate) which creates the fight or flight response
What is the parasympathetic state?
It returns the body to its resting state e.g slows down breathing
What is the sympathetic state?
Fight or flight response e.g dilated pupils
