How does the Nervous System work?
1 Answer
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Explanation:
The nervous system is split into two
- The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) All natural
reactions that you don’t need to think about e.g. pulling your hand
away when you touch something hot - The peripheral nervous system This activates the autonomic nervous
system (ANS) - The ANS has to pathways it then separates into two pathways
The sympathetic system
The parasympathetic system
The sympathetic system
Which activates the fight or flight system to keep you safe. It kicks in when you have an acute stressor and need to keep safe.
E.g. the mouth will become dry so that more oxygen can get to the lungs and in turn the muscles to help them to move quicker
Once the stressor is removed then the parasympathetic system kicks in to help you to calm down
E.g. If the S.A.M (Sympathomedullary) pathway is too active then a doctor could prescribe beta blockers to help control it
The parasympathetic system
Once the stressor has gone your parasympathetic system will kick in to help you to calm down
This is controlled your HPA (Hypothalamic Pituitary-Adrenal) pathway
E.g. Your heartbeat will lower to lower your blood pressure back to a normal level
E.g. a nurse could teach a patient that is suffering from panic attacks methods of breathing to help the HPA pathway commence quicker
Autonomic Nervous System
Stimulates the release of hormones
E.g. Oxytocin is released to stimulate milk production in new mothers
Some hormones are produced due to the environment around you e.g. the sight of food makes you feel hungry
Example:
To give a person antidepressants e.g. (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) SSRI to a person who is depressed
