The Divisions of the Nervous System

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Questions and Answers

What are the divisions of the nervous system?

The divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

What is the central nervous system?

The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

What is the peripheral nervous system?

The peripheral nervous system includes everything outside of the central nervous system, including the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

What are the two divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

Somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

To initiate the 'fight or flight' response Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

To regulate the body's rest and digest response Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?

The two main divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the peripheral nervous system?

The peripheral nervous system consists of the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary actions, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary actions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight or flight' response, preparing the body for emergencies. The parasympathetic nervous system helps to restore the body to a calm state after the stress response. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two branches of spinal nerves and what types of neurons do they contain?

The two branches of spinal nerves are the ventral root and the dorsal root. The ventral root contains axons of motor neurons, while the dorsal root contains axons of sensory neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the dorsal root ganglia?

The dorsal root ganglia contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of spinal nerves?

Spinal nerves are composed of both afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) fibers, making them mixed nerves. Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of cranial nerves are connected to the brain?

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves connected to the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four classifications of cranial nerves?

The four classifications of cranial nerves are sensory nerves, special sensory nerves, motor nerves, and mixed nerves. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Divisions of the Nervous System

The nervous system is divided into two major components: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Central Nervous System

The CNS is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
It is responsible for processing information and controlling bodily functions.

Peripheral Nervous System

The PNS consists of all the nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
It relays sensory information to the brain and spinal cord, and carries motor commands from the CNS to muscles and glands.
The PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Somatic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements.
It connects the CNS to skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
It is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses.
- It increases heart rate and breathing rate.
- It dilates pupils.
- It diverts blood flow to muscles and brain.
- It inhibits digestion and bladder function.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The parasympathetic nervous system promotes "rest and digest" functions.
- It slows heart rate and breathing rate.
- It constricts pupils.
- It stimulates digestion and urination.
- It promotes relaxation and energy conservation.

Spinal Nerves

Spinal nerves connect the spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Each spinal nerve has two branches: a dorsal root and a ventral root.
- The dorsal root carries sensory information and contains sensory neurons.
- The ventral root carries motor commands and contains motor neurons.

Dorsal Root Ganglia

The dorsal root ganglia are clusters of sensory neuron cell bodies located within the dorsal root of spinal nerves.

Composition of Spinal Nerves

Spinal nerves are actually mixed nerves, meaning they contain both sensory and motor neurons.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of cranial nerves connect directly to the brain.
Cranial nerves are classified based on the type of information they carry.
- Sensory nerves carry sensory information from the body to the brain (e.g., olfactory nerve for smell).
- Motor nerves carry motor commands from the brain to the body (e.g., oculomotor nerve for eye movement).
- Mixed nerves carry both sensory and motor information (e.g., vagus nerve for control of internal organs).
- Special nerves carry specialized sensory information, like taste and smell (e.g., glossopharyngeal nerve for taste).

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Description

Test your knowledge of the divisions of the nervous system in this quiz. Learn about the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, somatic nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and more. Challenge yourself to identify sensory and motor nerves and understand the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.