Lesson 3.2.3.1.1

3.2.3.1.1 Central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic) nervous systems Quiz: AQA Psychology, Unit 7

20 questions

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Lesson 3.2.3.1.1, Central and peripheral (somatic and autonomic) nervous systems: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Psychology (8182), Unit 7: Brain and neuropsychology, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. Which two parts make up the central nervous system?

    • The brain and the autonomic nerves that run to the heart and lungs
    • The spinal cord and the somatic nerves that run to the skeletal muscles
    • The brain and the spinal cord
    • The sensory neurons and the motor neurons that connect to the skin and eyes

  2. What does the peripheral nervous system include?

    • Only the brain and spinal cord, which carry all messages around the body
    • All nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, including the somatic and autonomic divisions
    • Only the autonomic nerves that control the heart, lungs and digestion
    • Only the sensory nerves that carry information from the eyes, ears and skin

  3. Which division of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary movement of skeletal muscles?

    • The somatic nervous system, which carries messages to skeletal muscles we control on purpose
    • The sympathetic nervous system, which carries messages to the heart to speed up its beat
    • The central nervous system, which carries messages from the brain down to the spinal cord
    • The autonomic nervous system, which carries messages to glands and smooth muscle without control

  4. What is a basic function of the autonomic nervous system?

    • Controlling voluntary processes such as walking, writing and speaking, which need conscious decisions
    • Controlling the thinking and memory processes of the cerebrum needed for planning
    • Controlling sensory input from the eyes and ears, so sight and sound reach the brain
    • Controlling involuntary processes such as heart rate, breathing and digestion, without conscious effort

  5. A person's heart rate increases when they receive bad news. Which system is most directly responsible?

    • The somatic nervous system, which adjusts heart rate by sending voluntary commands to the heart
    • The sensory neurons alone, which change heart rate by sending messages from the skin
    • The central nervous system alone, which controls every heartbeat through conscious thought
    • The autonomic nervous system, which adjusts heart rate without the person deciding to change it

  6. Which is the best description of the central nervous system's role?

    • It exists only in the spinal cord, and the brain has no role in nervous system function
    • It carries only sensory messages from receptors and does no processing at any point in that setting
    • It is responsible only for reflex actions, such as pulling a hand away from heat before thought
    • It processes information and coordinates the body's responses, as the control centre of the system

  7. Which of these is part of the somatic division?

    • Sensory and motor nerves linking the skin, muscles and sense organs to the central system
    • Nerves linking the pupils to the brain, adjusting pupil size in dim light
    • Nerves linking the stomach and intestines to the central system, controlling digestion
    • Nerves linking the adrenal glands to the heart, speeding it up in response to stress in daily life

  8. Which pair correctly matches a division with a function?

    • Central: sensory input from the skin only
    • Autonomic: voluntary control of skeletal muscles
    • Somatic: involuntary control of internal organs in daily life
    • Autonomic: involuntary control of internal organs

  9. Which statement about the peripheral nervous system is correct?

    • It links the central nervous system to the rest of the body, carrying messages in both directions
    • It carries messages only from the brain to the body, never from the body back to the brain
    • It works alone without any link to the brain or spinal cord, so messages stay in the limbs
    • It is made up of the brain and spinal cord, which link the body to the outside world

  10. What does 'voluntary' mean in the somatic system?

    • Under the control of hormones alone, which act slowly over several hours in the blood
    • Under conscious control, so the person decides to move the muscle when they choose
    • Under the control of the spinal cord only, with no involvement from the brain
    • Under automatic control, so the body moves without any decision by the person

  11. Which situation involves the somatic division?

    • Deciding to pick up a cup and moving the arm and fingers to grasp it
    • The heart beating faster during a sudden fright, without a conscious decision
    • The pupils narrowing in bright sunlight, without any decision by the person
    • The stomach churning after a large meal, without any conscious control

  12. Which is an example of an involuntary action?

    • Playing a musical instrument, which requires deliberate control of each finger
    • Writing a letter to a friend, which requires a decision to move the hand across the page
    • Breathing while asleep, which continues automatically without deciding each breath
    • Kicking a ball across a field, which needs a conscious choice to strike it accurately

  13. Why are sensory and motor neurons both part of the peripheral nervous system?

    • Because they carry messages only inside the spinal cord, away from the rest of the body
    • Because they carry messages between the central system and the body's sense organs and muscles
    • Because they are found only in the brain, where they process all messages from the body
    • Because they never carry messages, but store the body's information in long-term memory

  14. Which two divisions make up the peripheral nervous system?

    • The central and somatic divisions
    • The autonomic and parasympathetic divisions only
    • The sensory and motor divisions
    • The somatic and autonomic divisions

  15. A patient cannot move their leg after an injury to the spinal cord, but they can still feel it. Which conclusion is most reasonable?

    • Some connections between the spinal cord and the leg are disrupted, while sensory pathways may still work
    • The leg has been removed from the nervous system, so it cannot send or receive any messages
    • The autonomic system has taken over the leg, which moves only when the heart beats faster
    • The brain has stopped working completely, so the leg cannot feel anything at all

  16. Which is a function of the peripheral nervous system's sensory neurons?

    • Carrying information from receptors such as the skin, eyes and ears towards the central system
    • Storing information about the environment in the spinal cord for later use by the brain
    • Carrying information from the central system to the skin, eyes and ears for storage in memory
    • Carrying commands from the central system to glands and muscles that respond to the environment

  17. Which feature best distinguishes the autonomic nervous system from the somatic system?

    • The autonomic system is part of the brain, while the somatic system is found only in the spinal cord
    • The autonomic system controls involuntary functions, while the somatic system controls voluntary skeletal muscle
    • The autonomic system controls voluntary movement, while the somatic system controls involuntary organs
    • The autonomic system carries only sensory messages, while the somatic system carries only motor messages

  18. Which term means relating to the brain and spinal cord together?

    • Autonomic, as in the nerves that control involuntary functions such as heart rate
    • Central, as in the central nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord
    • Peripheral, as in the nerves lying outside the brain and spinal cord throughout the body
    • Somatic, as in the nerves that carry voluntary commands to the skeletal muscles

  19. A nerve carries messages to the heart to slow it down. Which division is it part of?

    • The somatic division of the peripheral nervous system, which controls heart rate by voluntary effort
    • The sensory division of the central nervous system, which carries heart rate information to the spinal cord
    • The autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system, which controls heart rate without conscious effort
    • The central nervous system, which controls heart rate only when the brain is fully awake

  20. Explain why the nervous system is described as one integrated system despite its divisions.

    • Its parts work separately, with each division acting alone and never sharing messages
    • Its parts are identical in structure and function, so no division differs from the others
    • Its parts work together, with the central system coordinating messages to and from the peripheral system
    • Its parts operate only during sleep, when the brain and body rest from conscious activity

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