Autonomic system, Science

Assignment Help:

Autonomic System:

The autonomic nervous system gets its name from the fact that it relates to autonomous*or self-regulatory activities such as digestion and circulation, which continue even when we are asleep or unconscious. Impulses from the brain and spinal cord travelling along the autonomic nerves, cause blood vessels to dilatwr contract, digestion to slow or speed up, body  temperature to rise or fall, all according to the changing requirements.

The autonomic system consists of  two sets of nerves: The sympathetic nerves which stimulate the body  to react in a situation of stress or danger by  increasing the blood pressure, heart beat rate, breathing and flow of blood to the muscles, and by decreasing  the flow of blood to the digestive organs and kidneys. All these reactions are a preparation for a sudden expenditure  of energy in either fighting or fleeing. The parasympathetic nerves which prepare the body  for relaxed functions.

The autonomic nervous system does, however, interact with conscious nervous activity. For example, it is well known that anxiety and mental tension can affect digestion,  they tven cause peptic ulcers or high blood pressure. A child's dislike for school may make him sick every morning, without his being conscious of  the connection. Under certain conditions, with  lot of practice, some people have found it possible to consciously control heart beat, or blood pressure, or body  temperature or breathing rate and oxygen intake; others may regulate the feeling of pain or even correct malfunction of an organ. But these are extraordinary  and excepticnal abilities  ckveloped with tremendous expenditure of time and effort.  


Related Discussions:- Autonomic system

Explain idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, Explain Idiopathic Thrombocyto...

Explain Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura "Thrombocytopenic" means the blood doesn't comprise adequate platelets. "Purpura" means a person has excessive bruising. You may als

Mineral to be strongly magnetic other than magnetite, What is the only usua...

What is the only usual mineral to be strongly magnetic other than magnetite: Pyrrhotite

Renaissance (1440-1540), Renaissance (1440-1540): The Renaissance was a...

Renaissance (1440-1540): The Renaissance was a revolutionary movement. It marked a definite and deliberate break with the past.  It swept away the medieval forms of economy, of

Explain what diffusion is, Explain what Diffusion is? Diffusion, we lea...

Explain what Diffusion is? Diffusion, we learnt is a simple process of movement of individual molecules from one region to another. Figure illustrates passive transport where m

Explain the intercostal muscles, Explain the Intercostal Muscles Look a...

Explain the Intercostal Muscles Look at Figure Can you spot the intercostal muscles? Yes, there are 11 pairs of intercostal muscles. The intercoastal muscles are the muscles

Define the lymphocytes, Define the Lymphocytes They are agranulocytes. ...

Define the Lymphocytes They are agranulocytes. The nucleus occupies approximately the entire cell. They vary in size from 6- 18 mm diameter; sometimes divide in small and large

What is immunity, What is Immunity? Amino acids are involved in giving...

What is Immunity? Amino acids are involved in giving immunity by maintaining the vulnerable surfaces of the body in such a way so as to resist infections. Most of the external

Control of environment, Control of Environment: Control of environmen...

Control of Environment: Control of environment  is essential for maintaining good health. Environmental factors which are basic to individual and community health are housing

How did psychology emerge as a separate scientific field, QUESTION 1 (a...

QUESTION 1 (a) How did psychology emerge as a separate scientific field? (b) Elaborate on any two schools of Psychology QUESTION 2 Elaborate on the correlational met

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd