Nervous System
Within the nervous system we have three major components: The Central Nervous System (CNS), the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Here is what these three systems are composed of and what each one does:
CNS: composed of the brain and spinal column which record, communicate, organize, deliver and make sense out of everything from images, noises, information, smells etc. The CNS then communicates closely with the PNS. The two parts of the CNS are then what? The brain and the spinal column.
PNS: The peripheral nervous system is comprised of nerves and nerve tissues that carry information to and from the brain and spinal column. This happens through the efferent motor nerves which carry information from the brain and spinal column, and the afferent nerves, which carry information from the body parts to the brain and spinal column. These nerves have many points of origin along the spinal column from which they flow to body parts and from which they receive impulses from body parts. You can imagine the complexity of this bodily system. It’s certainly amazing. Fortunately, much of this system works on it own without the need for us to make it all happen by “thinking it”. This is the job of the ANS. We may also include muscles as part of the PNS because it is these with which the efferent and afferent nerves are communicating.
The parts of the PNS are then the efferent nerves, afferent nerves and the muscles. Remember efferent nerves carry information to body parts, and afferent nerves carry information from body part. Efferent=from brain to body. Afferent=from body to brain.
ANS: The autonomic (notice it is not spelled like automatic, but it is automatic) system maintains a stable environment for all of the internal workings of the body. It manages breathing, heartbeat, circulation, digestion, elimination, immune behavior and movements. You can see the need for all of the systems of the body to be healthy and functioning in harmony can’t you?
The ANS has two components you should know. There is a sympathetic nervous system and there is the parasympathetic nervous system. These two systems monitor the body at different times and in different ways. The sympathetic system causes the body to jump into action and respond to fear or danger or emergency. The parasympathetic system takes care of the body during rest, digestion, relaxation and such.
TEST
1) What are the nine systems of the body?
2) What are the three major systems of the nervous system?
3) What are the components of the CNS?
4) What are the two components of the ANS?
5) What are the components of the PNS?
6) What do the afferent nerves do?
7) Which system within the ANS monitors a response to danger?
8) The sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems are part of what major division of the greater nervous system?
9) Which of the three major systems within the nervous system happens “automatically”?
10) What are the nine systems of the body…again?
ANSWERS
If you read the answers -often called cheating-that’s ok. But, please say them out loud to facilitate the learning process. Also, it would be helpful to take the test until you can do it without looking at the answers and/or create a couple of questions of your own, or simply reword a question. You’ll be surprised how much this elevates the efficiency and speed of your learning.
1) N S M C R D U E R
2) CNS, ANS and the PNS
3) Brain and Spine
4) Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
5) Efferent, afferent nerves and muscles
6) Carry information from the body parts to the brain and spinal column
7) Sympathetic nervous system
8) ANS
9) Autonomic nervous system
10) N S M C R D U E R
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