PSYC 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Central Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Myelin
Document Summary
Network of nerves connecting the cns to the body. Two subdivisions: somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system. Sends sensory information from the skin to the muscles to the cns. (ex. Touching a hot burner sends a signal to the cns telling your body it is causing you pain and to stop touching it. ) Sends messages to and from internal organs. Two subdivisions: sympathetic nervous system (arousing) and parasympathetic nervous system (calming). The autonomic nervous system handles fight of flight reactions: while in this reaction, the sympathetic division of ans mobilizes; parasympathetic reverses the actions of the sympathetic once the threat is gone. Ans is helpful during times of acute stress, but chronic stress can cause problems such as inflammation and decreased immunity. Neurons: billions of communicating nerve cells that handle information processing. Glial cells provide structural support and nutritional benefits to the nervous system. Dendrites: fibers projecting from the neuron that receive signals.
