NERVOUS Central Nervous System (CNS)
SYSTEM Spinal cord
• Relays information between the brain and the
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) rest of the body so it can monitor and regulate
processes like breathing
Somatic NS • Contains circuits of nerve cells to coordinate
• 12 pairs of cranial nerves that emerge reflex action e.g. pulling hand away if you
directly from the brain
touch something hot
• 31 pairs of spinal nerves
• Have both sensory and motor
• If damaged, sites may be cut off = paralysis
neurons
Brain
Autonomic NS • Cerebrum – 4 lobes
Involuntary actions e.g. heart beat • Cerebellum – controls motor skills and
happen without your conscious balance
awareness and are regulates by the • Diencephalon has two parts
autonomic nervous system. • Thalamus – relay station for nerve
• Sympathetic – uses noradrenaline
(stimulates). Causes the body to impulses
release stores energy, dilate pupils, • Hypothalamus – regulates body
vascular shunt, in preparation for fight temperature, hunger and thirst, also
or flight. controls release of hormones from
• Parasympathetic – uses acetylcholine pituitary gland
(inhibits) and relaxes individuals when • Brain stem – regulates automatic functions lile
the threat has passed. breathing, heart beat and swallowing
, The endocrine system is a network of glands across the
body that secrete hormones. It uses blood vessels to
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
transport hormones around the body to target cells.
Hormones are chemical substances that circulate in the
blood and affect target organs.
The pituitary gland releases hormones that control and
stimulate the release of hormones from other glands
(master gland)
• The anterior (front) lobe releases ACTH – stimulates
adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol
• The posterior (rear) lobe releases oxytocin – controls
contractions in childbirth
The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and
noradrenaline which play a key role in fight or flight
The ovaries release oestrogen which controls the female
reproductive system (menstrual cycle and pregnancy)
The testes release androgens including testosterone
which is responsible for the development of male sex
characteristics during puberty and muscle growth
The pineal gland releases melatonin which regulates the
circadian rhythm.
SYSTEM Spinal cord
• Relays information between the brain and the
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) rest of the body so it can monitor and regulate
processes like breathing
Somatic NS • Contains circuits of nerve cells to coordinate
• 12 pairs of cranial nerves that emerge reflex action e.g. pulling hand away if you
directly from the brain
touch something hot
• 31 pairs of spinal nerves
• Have both sensory and motor
• If damaged, sites may be cut off = paralysis
neurons
Brain
Autonomic NS • Cerebrum – 4 lobes
Involuntary actions e.g. heart beat • Cerebellum – controls motor skills and
happen without your conscious balance
awareness and are regulates by the • Diencephalon has two parts
autonomic nervous system. • Thalamus – relay station for nerve
• Sympathetic – uses noradrenaline
(stimulates). Causes the body to impulses
release stores energy, dilate pupils, • Hypothalamus – regulates body
vascular shunt, in preparation for fight temperature, hunger and thirst, also
or flight. controls release of hormones from
• Parasympathetic – uses acetylcholine pituitary gland
(inhibits) and relaxes individuals when • Brain stem – regulates automatic functions lile
the threat has passed. breathing, heart beat and swallowing
, The endocrine system is a network of glands across the
body that secrete hormones. It uses blood vessels to
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
transport hormones around the body to target cells.
Hormones are chemical substances that circulate in the
blood and affect target organs.
The pituitary gland releases hormones that control and
stimulate the release of hormones from other glands
(master gland)
• The anterior (front) lobe releases ACTH – stimulates
adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol
• The posterior (rear) lobe releases oxytocin – controls
contractions in childbirth
The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and
noradrenaline which play a key role in fight or flight
The ovaries release oestrogen which controls the female
reproductive system (menstrual cycle and pregnancy)
The testes release androgens including testosterone
which is responsible for the development of male sex
characteristics during puberty and muscle growth
The pineal gland releases melatonin which regulates the
circadian rhythm.
