Questions and Answers
What does the autonomic nervous system exert control over?
What is the major division of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord?
Central nervous system (CNS)
What is the response initiated under conditions of stress called?
Fight-or-flight response
Which part of the autonomic nervous system is activated under non-stressful conditions?
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What is the major division of the nervous system that comprises all nervous tissue outside the CNS?
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What is the response called that is initiated under non-stressful conditions?
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What system consists of nerves providing voluntary control over skeletal muscle?
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Which nervous system is activated under conditions of stress?
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What is the term for the juncture along the nerve that the action potential travels along?
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What is the synapse that occurs outside the CNS called?
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What is the name for the nerve carrying the impulse that exits the spinal cord?
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What is the nerve called that is on the other side of the ganglionic synapse, waiting to receive the impulse?
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What is the process called that propagates a signal from one cell to another via a synapse?
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What is the primary neurotransmitter of the autonomic nervous system?
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Which primary neurotransmitter is also part of the autonomic nervous system, often associated with the rest-and-digest response?
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What class of agents does norepinephrine belong to?
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What type of receptors are found at the ends of postganglionic sympathetic neurons?
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What are the two types of adrenergic receptors?
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What enzyme destroys norepinephrine that is not returned to the vesicles for future use?
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What do you call nerves that release acetylcholine?
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What are receptors for acetylcholine in the ganglia called?
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What type of acetylcholine receptors are affected by some medications and resemble a poisonous mushroom?
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What enzyme rapidly destroys acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft?
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What are drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system called?
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What are adrenergic antagonists also known as?
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What is the name for the drugs that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system?
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What term describes agents that inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system?
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What disease is characterized by the destruction of nicotinic receptors on skeletal muscle?
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What is a key point about the peripheral nervous system?
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What are the effects of stimulation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?
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Study Notes
Autonomic Nervous System
- Controls involuntary actions such as contraction of smooth and cardiac muscles, along with glandular activity.
- Comprises two main divisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Major division comprising the brain and spinal cord, serving as the control center for the body.
Peripheral Nervous System
- Encompasses all nervous tissue outside the CNS, including sensory and motor neurons.
Sympathetic Nervous System
- Activated during stress, leading to the fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body for immediate action.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Functions under non-stressful conditions, promoting the rest-and-digest response to enhance bodily maintenance activities.
Fight-or-Flight Response
- Initiated under stress, allowing the body to respond quickly to threats or emergencies.
Rest-and-Digest Response
- Characteristic response of the parasympathetic system, emphasizing relaxation and energy conservation.
Somatic Nervous System
- Responsible for voluntary control of skeletal muscles, enabling movement and coordination.
Synapse and Synaptic Transmission
- Synapse refers to the junction where nerve impulses are transmitted from one neuron to another.
- Synaptic transmission involves propagating signals across synapses.
Preganglionic and Postganglionic Neurons
- Preganglionic neurons carry impulses from the spinal cord to ganglionic synapses.
- Postganglionic neurons transmit impulses from the ganglionic synapse to target organs.
Norepinephrine (NE) and Acetylcholine (Ach)
- Primary neurotransmitters in the autonomic nervous system, playing crucial roles in signal transmission.
Adrenergic Receptors
- Include alpha and beta receptors, located at the ends of postganglionic sympathetic neurons, involved in fight-or-flight responses.
Cholinergic Receptors
- Include nicotinic receptors (present in ganglia and muscular junctions) and muscarinic receptors (linked to rest-and-digest functions).
Enzymatic Processes
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) destroys excess norepinephrine not taken back into vesicles for reuse.
- Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) rapidly degrades acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, halting its action.
Pharmacological Agents
- Sympathomimetics: Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, promoting adrenergic effects.
- Adrenergic antagonists (sympatholytics): Inhibit the sympathetic nervous system functions.
- Parasympathomimetics: Stimulate the parasympathetic system, producing rest-and-digest effects, often referred to as cholinergic agents.
- Anticholinergics: Block the actions of the parasympathetic system, also called muscarinic blockers.
Myasthenia Gravis
- An autoimmune disease resulting in the destruction of nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction, compromising muscle contraction.
Key Points on Nervous System Function
- The peripheral nervous system splits into somatic (voluntary control) and autonomic (involuntary control) systems.
- Sympathetic activation triggers fight-or-flight symptoms, contrasting with parasympathetic activation that leads to restorative functions.
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