The Nervous System

Structure & Control of Movement

SPS211/FSRUiTM

NS General Functions
Perceiving & responding to events in the internal & external environment.
Sensing touch, pain, temperature & chemical stimulus

NS functions
Control of the internal environment (work with the endocrine system) Voluntary control of movement Programming spinal cord reflexes Assimilation of experience necessary for memory & learning
SPS211/FSRUiTM

Nervous System
Divided into 2 parts
CNS : brain & spinal cord PNS : nerves (neurons) outside the CNS
Sensory portion
Transmission of neuron impulses from sense organ (receptor) to CNS Afferent division

Motor portion
Efferent division Somatic motor innervates skeletal muscle Autonomic motor innervates involuntary effector organ e.g., cardiac muscle, glands
SPS211/FSRUiTM

The Human Nervous System.

Blue is PNS Red is CNS SPS211/FSRUiTM

CNS
The CNS refers to the brain and spinal cord. Serve as the main "processing center" for the entire nervous system, and control all the workings of the body. The central nervous system does not include the peripheral nerves in the arms, legs, muscles, and organs.

SPS211/FSRUiTM

PNS
The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system The somatic nervous system is responsible for coordinating the body's movements, and also for receiving external stimuli. It is the system that regulates activities that are under conscious control.
SPS211/FSRUiTM

Autonomic NS
Sympathetic NS
responds to impending danger or stress, and is responsible for the increase of one's heartbeat and blood pressure, among other physiological changes, along with the sense of excitement one feels due to the increase of adrenaline in the system.

Parasympathetic NS
Responds when a person is resting and feels relaxed, and is responsible for the constriction of the pupil, the slowing of the heart, the dilation of the blood vessels, and the stimulation of the digestive system
SPS211/FSRUiTM

Autonomic NS

SPS211/FSRUiTM

Autonomic NS

SPS211/FSRUiTM

The Brain
Cerebrum

Subdivided into
Brain stem Cerebrum Cerebellum

Cerebellum

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The Brain Stem

Located inside the base of the skull just above the spinal cord Major structure include medulla, pons & midbrain Responsible for control of eye movement, equilibrium, support of body against gravity.

SPS211/FSRUiTM

Cerebrum
Function
Organization of complex movement Storage of learned experience Reception of sensory information

SPS211/FSRUiTM

Cerebellum
Function
Coordinating & monitoring complex movement
Aid in the control of movement in response to feedback from proprioceptors Initiate fast, ballistic movement

SPS211/FSRUiTM

Exercise Enhance Brain Health

Research (McAuley, 2004)indicates that exercise can improve brain (cognitive) function, particularly in older individuals
Improve blood flow to the brain Increasing brain levels of growth factors that promote optimal function of neuron Positive effect on hippocampus (important for learning & memory)
SPS211/FSRUiTM