PSYC 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3.3: Central Nervous System, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Tachycardia
Document Summary
Module 3. 3: structure and organization of the nervous system. Central nervous system (cns): consists of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system (pns): division of the nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body and is divisional into two subcomponents, the somatic system and the autonomic system. Somatic nervous system: consists of nerves that control skeletal muscles which are responsible for voluntary and reflexive movement; also, consists of nerved that receive sensory input from the body. Autonomic nervous system: portion of the peripheral nervous system responsible for regulating the activity of organs and glands; includes two sub-components: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic nervous system: responsible for the fight-or-flight response of an increased heart rate, dilated pupils and decreased salivary flow responses that prepare the body for action. This is activated when you avoid getting into a car accident for example: increased heart rate, increased perspiration, etc.