Nervous System Involvement in Daily Activities- A Breakdown of Claires Morning Routine
Claire’s actions of getting out of bed, stretching, and walking to the bathroom involve voluntary movement of the muscles and are controlled by the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS is divided into two divisions, namely, motor and sensory divisions. These divisions are further divided into two subdivisions: visceral and somatic (Hubbard, 2012). The motor division was involved in Claire’s case, whereby it was in control of carrying signals from the central nervous system to muscle cells, specifically the somatic motor division, which carries the signals to skeletal muscles, bringing about voluntary muscle contractions, and hence the movements.
Secondly, the action of checking the water temperature involves sensory perception, which is primarily controlled by the somatic sensory division of the PNS. This division includes sensory receptors located throughout the body that carry signals from skin, muscles, bones, and joints. These signals include stimuli such as temperature, pressure, and pain (Saladin, 2021). The sensory information from Claire’s hand, when she checks the water temperature, is transmitted to her brain through sensory neurons.
Thirdly, the action of salivating at the smell of breakfast is a reflex action controlled by the motor division of the PNS, under the visceral subdivision, also referred to as the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In this case, the autonomic nervous system is divided into two further divisions, that is, the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division (Saladin, 2021). In regard to these actions, the parasympathetic division is involved. Besides, it is in control of rest and digestion functions, comprising stimulating salivary gland secretion in response to sensory stimuli, such as the smell of food. Notably, this division operates involuntarily and regulates physiological processes without conscious effort.
References
Hubbard, J. (Ed.). (2012). The peripheral nervous system. Springer Science & Business Media.
Saladin, K. (2021). Anatomy & physiology: The unity of form and function (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
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Question
Claire wakes up to her alarm sounding. It is time to get ready for school. She stands up out of bed, stretches, and walks to the bathroom to take a shower. Before getting in, she checks the water temperature.
After her shower, as she is getting dressed she begins to salivate at the smell of the breakfast her roommate has made for the both of them. List the divisions of the nervous system that are involved in each of these actions.