control and communication

Question 1

what is the nervous system

Answer 1

The function of the nervous system is to control our bodies and help respond to stimuli. The nervous system is
composed of two parts

Question 2

what are the two parts that the nervous system is composed of

Answer 2

• The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the brain and the spinal cord.
• The peripheral system (PNS) is composed of a collection of nerves.

Question 3

what does the nervous system do

Answer 3

The nervous system sends electrical impulses along neurons (nerve cells). neurons transfer messages around the body in the form of electrical impulses

Question 4

what is the brain

Answer 4

The brain is the central organ of the nervous system in humans and other animals. it can be divided into three main parts.

Question 5

what are the three main regions in the brain

Answer 5

the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the medulla

Question 6

what is the function of the cerebrum

Answer 6

Controls memory, personality, imagination and reasoning

Question 7

what is the function of the cerebellum

Answer 7

Controls muscle coordination and balance

Question 8

what is the function of the medulla

Answer 8

controls heart rate and breathing

Question 9

what is the peripheral nervous system

Answer 9

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of all other nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. There are
three main types of neurons in the PNS.

Question 10

what are the three main types of neurons in the PNS

Answer 10

sensory, inter, motor

Question 11

what is the function of the sensory neuron

Answer 11

Carries sensory information to the central nervous system from the receptor

Question 12

what is the function of the inter neuron

Answer 12

Operate within the CNS, which processes information from the senses that require a response

Question 13

what is the function of the motor neuron

Answer 13

Carries the message to the effector (muscle or gland) causing the response

Question 14

what is a synapse and what does it do

Answer 14

The small gaps between neurons are called synapses. Electrical impulses can’t cross these
gaps. Instead, signals are passed on by chemical messengers. These chemical messengers are called neurotransmitters.

Question 15

what are three examples of neurotransmitters

Answer 15

adrenaline, dopamine and serotonin

Question 16

what does a reflex arc do

Answer 16

A reflex action occurs to protect you from coming to harm. They do not require conscious thought: they are rapid and
automatic.

Question 17

what is stage one of a reflex arc

Answer 17

Receptors sense a stimulus, which generates an electrical impulse traveling through a sensory neuron.
When the impulse reaches the end of the sensory neuron, chemicals are released across the synapse,
triggering an electrical impulse that is then carried along the inter neuron.

Question 18

what is stage two of a reflex arc

Answer 18

Inter neurons are located in the spinal cord. The inter neuron relays this electrical impulse to a motor neuron.

Question 19

what is stage three of a reflex arc

Answer 19

The electrical impulse travels along the motor neuron to the effector (a muscle or gland). This results in a response to prevent harm.