Question

Does the autonomic nervous system have relations with both the Central and Peripheral nervous systems?

Answer 1

The nervous system is split into two

Explanation:

• The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is 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

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

In short: The peripheral nervous system does link to the ANS
The central nervous system doesn't