The heart rate is controlled by the sinoatrial node (SAN) which is a mass of specialized cells located in the right atrium of the heart. The SAN is responsible for setting the heart’s intrinsic rhythm. This rhythm is set by the firing of electrical impulses that travel through the heart tissue.
The SAN is innervated by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) which provides parasympathetic input to the heart. The vagus nerve slows the heart rate by inhibiting the firing of the SAN.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) also innervates the heart and can increase the heart rate. The SNS is activated in response to stress and increases the heart rate by stimulating the release of the hormone adrenaline from the adrenal glands.
The heart rate is also influenced by hormones such as adrenaline noradrenaline thyroxine and cortisol. These hormones increase the heart rate by stimulating the SNS.
Which organ is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body?
Answer: The heart.
Which organ control heart rate?
Answer: The brain.
How does the brain control heart rate?
Answer: The brain controls heart rate by sending electrical signals to the heart.
What is the main organ responsible for controlling all the other organs in the body?
Answer: The brain.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Answer: The autonomic nervous system controls all the organs in the body that we don’t have to think about like the heart lungs and digestive system.
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
Answer: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “fight or flight” response.
It speeds up the heart rate and increases blood flow to the muscles.
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
Answer: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response.
It slows down the heart rate and increases blood flow to the digestive system.
Which part of the brain controls the sympathetic nervous system?
Answer: The amygdala.
Which part of the brain controls the parasympathetic nervous system?
Answer: The hypothalamus.
What is the enteric nervous system?
Answer: The enteric nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response.
It is a network of nerves in the digestive system that controls digestive functions.
What is the function of the vagus nerve?
Answer: The vagus nerve is responsible for the “rest and digest” response.
It slows down the heart rate and increases blood flow to the digestive system.
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Answer: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “fight or flight” response.
It speeds up the heart rate and increases blood flow to the muscles.
What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Answer: The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response.
It slows down the heart rate and increases blood flow to the digestive system.
How does the autonomic nervous system work?
Answer: The autonomic nervous system controls all the organs in the body that we don’t have to think about like the heart lungs and digestive system.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Answer: The autonomic nervous system controls all the organs in the body that we don’t have to think about like the heart lungs and digestive system.
