Central Nervous System (CNS) Functions

Central Nervous System (CNS)

• Consists of the brain and spinal cord
• Responsible for integrating and processing information
• Acts as the control center for the body
• Protected by the blood-brain barrier, a specialized barrier that separates the CNS from the bloodstream

Functions of the CNS

• Controls voluntary movements (e.g. walking, talking)
• Interprets and processes sensory information (e.g. sight, sound, touch)
• Regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst
• Manages emotions and behavior
• Facilitates thought, perception, and memory

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• Consists of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
• Divided into two subsystems: somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system

Somatic Nervous System

• Responsible for transmitting sensory information from the body to the CNS
• Controls voluntary movements (e.g. muscle contraction)

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Responsible for controlling involuntary functions (e.g. heart rate, digestion)
• Divided into two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Sympathetic Nervous System

• Prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses (e.g. increased heart rate, blood pressure)
• Activates in response to stress or danger

Parasympathetic Nervous System

• Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
• Slows down heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and increases digestion
• Activates in response to calm or relaxed states

Central Nervous System (CNS)

• Comprises the brain and spinal cord, acting as the body's control center
• Integrates and processes information, and separated from the bloodstream by the blood-brain barrier

Functions of the CNS

• Controls voluntary movements, such as walking and talking
• Interprets and processes sensory information, including sight, sound, and touch
• Regulates body temperature, hunger, and thirst
• Manages emotions, behavior, and facilitates thought, perception, and memory

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• Consists of nerves connecting the CNS to the rest of the body, divided into somatic and autonomic nervous systems

Somatic Nervous System

• Transmits sensory information from the body to the CNS
• Controls voluntary movements, such as muscle contraction

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion
• Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Sympathetic Nervous System

• Prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses, increasing heart rate and blood pressure
• Activates in response to stress or danger

Parasympathetic Nervous System

• Promotes relaxation, reducing stress and slowing down heart rate
• Lowers blood pressure, increases digestion, and activates in response to calm or relaxed states

Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System

• Divided into two subsystems: Sensory Nervous System and Motor Nervous System
• Sensory Nervous System transmits information from sensory receptors to the CNS
• Motor Nervous System transmits information from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands)
• Functions: receives and interprets sensory information, controls voluntary movements, and regulates involuntary functions
• Composed of Cranial Nerves (12 pairs) and Spinal Nerves (31 pairs)

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• Subsystem of the Peripheral Nervous System
• Controls involuntary functions: heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, body temperature, sweat glands, and pupil dilation
• Divided into two branches: Sympathetic Nervous System and Parasympathetic Nervous System
• Sympathetic Nervous System: prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses, increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels
• Parasympathetic Nervous System: promotes relaxation and reduces stress, decreases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy levels
• Functions: maintains homeostasis, regulates emotional responses, influences digestion and elimination, and affects sleep-wake cycles