Nervous System Types and Subdivisions

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the central nervous system?

  • Facilitating voluntary movements of skeletal muscles
  • Processing sensory information and generating thoughts (correct)
  • Regulating the hormonal activities of the body
  • Transmitting sensory impulses to muscle tissue

Which component is NOT part of the peripheral nervous system?

  • Cranial nerves
  • Spinal nerves
  • Neuroglia (correct)
  • Neurons outside the CNS

What is a key distinction between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?

  • The autonomic nervous system includes cranial nerves.
  • The somatic nervous system controls involuntary actions.
  • The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements. (correct)
  • The autonomic nervous system regulates voluntary muscle movement.

How does the peripheral nervous system primarily function in relation to the central nervous system?

<p>It relays information to and from the central nervous system. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the role of neurons in the nervous system?

<p>Neurons generate and transmit electrochemical impulses. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the pathways of somatic and autonomic motor neurons?

<p>Autonomic motor neurons utilize a two-neuron pathway with connections through autonomic ganglia. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the neurotransmitter release between somatic and autonomic motor neurons?

<p>Somatic neurons release acetylcholine, while autonomic neurons may release either acetylcholine or norepinephrine. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the control of motor output in somatic and autonomic systems?

<p>Autonomic control is involuntary and influenced by multiple brain structures, while somatic control is primarily voluntary. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the cell body of a preganglionic neuron located, and what characterizes its axon?

<p>In the central nervous system; myelinated axon. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly compares the sensory input of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?

<p>Autonomic sensory input mainly derives from visceral sensory receptors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The control center of the nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord. It processes sensory information, generates thoughts and emotions, and initiates muscle contractions and gland secretions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The network of nerves that connects the CNS to the rest of the body. It carries sensory information to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles. It receives commands from the CNS and transmits them to the muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the PNS that controls involuntary actions like heart rate, digestion, and breathing. It works independently of conscious effort.

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Reflex Arc

A pathway that involves a sensory neuron, an interneuron, and a motor neuron. It allows for quick, involuntary responses to stimuli.

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Preganglionic neuron

A type of neuron that has its cell body located in the central nervous system (CNS) and whose axon extends to an autonomic ganglion. It is responsible for transmitting signals from the CNS to the autonomic ganglia.

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Postganglionic neuron

A type of neuron that receives signals from a preganglionic neuron in an autonomic ganglion and whose axon projects to a target organ or tissue.

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Autonomic ganglion

A collection of neuronal cell bodies located outside the central nervous system (CNS).

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Acetylcholine (ACh)

The chemical messenger used by somatic motor neurons to transmit signals to skeletal muscles.

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Norepinephrine (NE)

The chemical messenger used by some autonomic motor neurons to transmit signals to target organs.

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Study Notes

Nervous System Types and Subdivisions

  • The nervous system controls bodily functions, faster than the endocrine system
  • The nervous system's basic unit is the neuron
  • It's divided into two main parts: Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Central Nervous System (CNS)

  • Includes the brain and spinal cord
  • Processes sensory information
  • Origin of thoughts, emotions, and memories
  • Directs muscle contractions and gland secretions

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

  • All nervous tissue outside the CNS
  • Contains cranial nerves (12 pairs) arising from the brain, and spinal nerves (31 pairs) arising from the spinal cord
  • Relays information to and from the central nervous system
  • Divided into two subdivisions: Somatic and Autonomic nervous systems

Somatic Nervous System

  • Controls voluntary muscle movements
  • Sensory neurons receive input from touch, temperature, pain, and position sensors (proprioceptors), and the special senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, balance)
  • Motor neurons connect to skeletal muscles
  • One neuron pathway
  • Neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine (ACh)

Autonomic Nervous System

  • Concerned with regulating visceral functions (internal organs) like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, body temperature, and reproduction

  • Involuntary

  • Consists of two divisions: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic divisions

  • Two-neuron pathway (preganglionic and postganglionic neurons)

  • Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (ACh) and Norepinephrine (NE)

  • Sympathetic division: involved with "fight-or-flight" responses, supporting exercise and emergency actions.

  • Parasympathetic division: involved with "rest-and-digest" activities, maintaining homeostasis

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