Understanding the Nervous System: Central and Peripheral Functions

1. KEY CONCEPT The central nervous system interprets information, and the peripheral nervous system gathers and transmits information.

2. The nervous system’s two parts work together. • The Central Nervous System (CNS) includes the brain, and spinal cord. Processes information. • The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) includes four systems of nerves and links the CNS to muscles and organs.

3. midbrain Brainstem pons medulla oblongata The CNS: • The brain has three parts. 1. cerebrum controls thought, movement, emotion 2. cerebellum allows for balance so body can move smoothly 3. brain stem controls basic life functions (breathing, heart beat)

4. midbrain pons medulla oblongata • midbrain controls some reflexes • pons regulates breathing • medulla oblongata connects the brain and spinal cord and controls heart function, swallowing, coughing, vomiting • The brain stem has three parts.

5. Lobes of the Brain • Frontal • Parietal • Occipital • Temporal

6. Frontal Lobe • The Frontal Lobe of the brain is located deep in the Frontal Bone of the skull. • It plays an integral role in the following functions/actions: • Memory formation • Emotions • Decision making/Reasoning • Personality Last part of the brain to fully develop.

7. Parietal Lobe • The Parietal Lobe of the brain is located deep to the Parietal Bone of the skull. • Two major divisions • Anterior and posterior • Senses hot and cold, hard and soft, and pain. • Taste and smell • Helps integrate the senses

8. Occipital Lobe • The Occipital Lobe of the Brain is located deep to the Occipital Bone of the Skull. • Its primary function is the processing, integrationand interpretation of VISION and visual stimuli.

9. Temporal Lobe • The Temporal Lobes are located on the sides of the brain, deep to the Temporal Bones of the skull. • They play an integral role in the following functions: • Hearing • Organization/Comprehension of language • Information Retrieval (Memory)

10. Brain Hemispheres • The brain's right hemisphere controls the muscles on the left side of the body, while the left hemisphere controls the muscles on the right side of the human body. • When you wink your right eye, that's the left side of your brain at work. Because of this crisscross wiring, damage to one side of the brain affects the opposite side of the body.

11. Left Hemisphere • processes things more in parts and sequentially • recognizes positive emotions • Identified with practicality and rationality • Understands symbols and representations • Processes rapid auditory information faster than the right (crucial for separating the sounds of speech into distinct units for comprehension) • is responsible for language development. It develops slower in boys, that is why males usually develop more language problems than females.

12. Right Hemisphere • Recognizes negative emotions • High level mathematicians, problem solvers, and chess players use • The “non-verbal” side • Responds to touch and music (sensory) • Intuitive • Responsive to color and shape • Emotional and originative

13. Taking Sides! What information each side recognizes: Left Brain Letters Numbers Words Right Brain Faces Places Objects

14. The Peripheral Nervous System: Collection of nerves that links the CNS to muscles and other organs (Sensory neurons/motor neurons) The somatic nervous system regulates voluntary movements Ex: Walking The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions Ex: Digestion • sympathetic nervoussystem: action and stress (Fight or Flight) • parasympathetic nervous system: calms the body, conserves energy *Maintain homeostasis

15. Reflex arc- A simple pathway, including only a few neurons, that carry out the simplest responses…reflexes. Reflexes – automatic, subconscious responses to external or internal stimuli • Maintain homeostasis by controlling: heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, digestion, swallowing, sneezing, coughing, and vomiting

16. interneuron motor neurons sensory neuron • sensory neuron sends impulse to spinal cord • spinal cord directs impulse to motor neuron • does not involve the brain!!!! • The spinal cord controls reflexes.