The Nervous System - Central and Peripheral (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes

6.1.1 The Nervous System - Central and Peripheral

The divisions of the nervous system:

The Peripheral Nervous System

Somatic nervous system: Controls voluntary activities e.g., muscles moving

Autonomic nervous system: Controls involuntary activities e.g., internal organs

Sympathetic nervous system: Keeps the body active and alert (fight or flight)

Parasympathetic nervous system: Keeps the body rested and saves energy (rest and digest)

The Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

Brain: The control centre of the body, responsible for processing and interpreting sensory information, making decisions, and sending signals to the rest of the body.

Spinal Cord: The communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. It relays messages from the brain to the peripheral nervous system and vice versa.