Nervous System

Lesson in Biological Psychology

1. Nervous System Prepared By: Orlando A. Pistan, MAEd Psychology Instructor

2. Nervous System The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all of the nerves that connect these organs with the rest of the body. Together , these organs are responsible for the control of the body and communication among its parts.

3. Nervous System A complex combination of billions of neurons. T he two main divisions are the: Central Nervous system (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)

4. Central Nervous System I ncludes the brain and the spinal chord. Also known as the control center where information are evaluated. I t is the decision maker.

5. Spinal Cord The spinal cord functions  primarily in the transmission of neural signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

6. Spinal Cord 8 cervical (C1-C8) nerves emerge from the cervical spine; cervical means of the neck (there are 8 cervical nerves, but only 7 cervical vertebra ) 12 thoracic (T1-T12) nerves emerge from the thoracic spine; thoracic means of the chest 5 lumbar (L1-L5) nerves emerge from the lumbar spine; lumbar means from the lower back region

7. Spinal Cord 5 sacral (S1-S5) nerves emerge from the sacral bone; sacral means of the sacrum, the bony plate at the base of the vertebral column 1 coccygeal nerve emerge from the coccygeal bone; coccygeal means of the coccyx, the tailbone

8. Peripheral Nervous System The  peripheral nervous system (PNS) provides the connection between internal or external stimuli and the central nervous system to allow the body to respond to its environment . The PNS is made up of different kinds of neurons, or nerve cells, which communicate with each other through electric signaling. Composed of Autonomic system and the Somatic system.

9. Autonomic System R egulates involuntary actions such as breathing and digestion. T he autonomic nervous system has two complementary parts: the   sympathetic nervous system , which activates the "fight-or-flight-or-freeze"  stress  response, and the   parasympathetic nervous system , which reacts with the "rest-and-digest" response after stress.

10. Somatic System G overns voluntary action and body reflexes . The somatic nervous system coordinates physical action. It is also responsible for our reflexes, which do not require brain input.

11. Somatic System Nerves Afferent   nerves, leading sensory information toward the central nervous system   E fferent  nerves, l eading sensory information away from the central nervous system .

12. Nervous System Thank you for paying attention.