what does the somatic nervous system do

The somatic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system associated with the voluntary control of the body movements via the use of skeletal muscles.

What actions does the somatic nervous system control?

The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, transmits and receives messages from the senses and is involved in reflex actions without the involvement of the CNS so the reflex can occur very quickly. They are also known to predict certain important life outcomes such as education and health.

What is the role of the somatic nervous system quizlet?

The main functions of the somatic nervous system is to carry sensory information from nerves to the central nervous system and also carry motor information from the central nervous system along motor neural pathways to muscles to control their activity.

What does the somatic system stimulate?

The somatic nervous system consists of sensory nerves carrying afferent nerve fibers, which relay sensation from the body to the central nervous system (CNS), and motor nerves carrying efferent nerve fibers, which relay motor commands from the CNS to stimulate muscle contraction.

What is an example of the somatic nervous system?

Examples of the Somatic Nervous System Response

Striated skeletal muscles under voluntary control receive signals to contract on the basis of stimuli relayed to the CNS. For instance, while walking in a tropical forest, you watch the forest floor for fallen twigs, insects or undergrowth.

Does the somatic nervous system control breathing?

Breathing and the nervous system

The control of breathing is balanced between the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system).

What does the somatic nervous system innervate quizlet?

The somatic nervous system stimulates skeletal muscles, while the ANS innervates cardiac and smooth muscle and glands.

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system quizlet?

The sympathetic nervous system arouses the body and expends energy. It is responsible for our fight and flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body and conserves energy. It is responsible for our rest and digest response.

What is an example of a somatic response?

One common example is the knee reflex: hitting the patellar tendon just below the knee cap with a reflex hammer leads to an automatic contraction of the quadriceps – which results in the lower leg kicking out.