24 Questions
What is the main characteristic of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
It is a functional division of the nervous system
What types of cells does the ANS control?
Smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and gland cells
What is the 'fight or flight' response primarily associated with?
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
What is the main difference between the SNS and PNS in terms of their origin?
SNS starts in the middle of the spinal cord, while PNS starts in the brain stem or the bottom of the spinal cord
What is the effect of the SNS on blood flow to skeletal muscle?
It increases blood flow to skeletal muscle
What is the primary function of the PNS?
To promote homeostasis and maintenance of the body in non-threatening situations
What is activated by the SNS to secrete sweat?
Sweat glands
What is the best approach to studying the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Cover the ANS as you're studying each individual organ system
What is the primary function of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
To control involuntary actions without conscious involvement
Where do the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) neurons start?
In the brain stem or the bottom of the spinal cord
What is the effect of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) on heart output?
It decreases heart output
What is the main difference between the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) in terms of their functions?
The SNS promotes 'fight or flight', while the PNS promotes 'rest and digest'
Which of the following is NOT controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Voluntary muscle cells
What is the function of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) in terms of sweat glands?
It activates sweat glands to secrete sweat
What is the effect of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) on blood flow to the intestines?
It decreases blood flow to the intestines
What is the primary target of the second neuron in the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)?
A ganglia close to the spine
Which part of the nervous system does the autonomic nervous system belong to?
Peripheral nervous system
What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system in terms of muscle cells?
To control the contraction and relaxation of cardiac muscle cells
What is the main difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in terms of their axon length?
The parasympathetic nervous system has longer axons in the first neuron and shorter axons in the second neuron
What is the effect of the sympathetic nervous system on heart output and blood flow to skeletal muscle?
It increases heart output and blood flow to skeletal muscle
What is the primary target of the second neuron in the parasympathetic nervous system?
Ganglia at a distance from the first neuron
What is the effect of the parasympathetic nervous system on blood flow to the intestines?
It increases blood flow to the intestines
What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system in non-threatening situations?
To promote homeostasis and maintenance of the body
What is the autonomic nervous system responsible for, beyond what is covered in this introductory video?
Affecting many structures and having many functions in different bodily systems
Study Notes
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- The autonomic nervous system is a functional division of the nervous system, not a structural division.
- It consists of efferent neurons in the peripheral nervous system that control three types of cells:
- Smooth muscle cells
- Cardiac muscle cells
- Gland cells
- The ANS is called "autonomic" because it controls these functions without conscious involvement.
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- The SNS is one of the two big subsystems of the ANS.
- It starts in the middle of the spinal cord.
- The first neuron in the SNS sends a short axon to synapse with a second neuron in a ganglia close to the spine.
- The second neuron then sends a longer axon to reach its target cell.
- The SNS is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body to deal with threatening or dangerous situations.
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- The PNS is the other big subsystem of the ANS.
- It starts in the brain stem or the bottom of the spinal cord.
- The first neuron in the PNS sends a long axon to synapse with a second neuron in a ganglia at a distance from the first neuron.
- The second neuron then sends a shorter axon to reach its target cell.
- The PNS is responsible for the "rest and digest" response, promoting homeostasis and maintenance of the body in non-threatening situations.
Functional Differences
- The SNS increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, decreases blood flow to the intestines, and increases heart output.
- The PNS increases blood flow to the intestines, decreases blood flow to skeletal muscle, and decreases heart output.
- The SNS activates sweat glands to secrete sweat, whereas the PNS activates salivary glands to produce saliva.
Key Concepts
- The ANS affects many structures and has many functions beyond what is covered in this introductory video.
- It is best to cover the ANS as you're studying each individual organ system, as it plays a role in many different bodily functions.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Divided into functional, not structural, parts of the nervous system
- Controls smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and gland cells through efferent neurons in the peripheral nervous system
- Functions without conscious involvement, hence "autonomic"
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- One of the two main subsystems of the ANS
- Originates in the middle of the spinal cord
- Neurons synapse in ganglia close to the spine, and then reach target cells
- Responsible for the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for threatening situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- The other main subsystem of the ANS
- Originates in the brain stem or lower spinal cord
- Neurons synapse in ganglia at a distance, and then reach target cells
- Responsible for the "rest and digest" response, promoting homeostasis and maintenance
Functional Differences
- SNS increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, decreases blood flow to intestines, and increases heart output
- PNS increases blood flow to intestines, decreases blood flow to skeletal muscle, and decreases heart output
- SNS triggers sweat glands, while PNS triggers salivary glands
Key Concepts
- ANS affects many structures and has various functions beyond the introductory material
- Study ANS in context with individual organ systems, as it plays a role in multiple bodily functions
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Divided into functional, not structural, parts of the nervous system
- Controls smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and gland cells through efferent neurons in the peripheral nervous system
- Functions without conscious involvement, hence "autonomic"
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- One of the two main subsystems of the ANS
- Originates in the middle of the spinal cord
- Neurons synapse in ganglia close to the spine, and then reach target cells
- Responsible for the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for threatening situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- The other main subsystem of the ANS
- Originates in the brain stem or lower spinal cord
- Neurons synapse in ganglia at a distance, and then reach target cells
- Responsible for the "rest and digest" response, promoting homeostasis and maintenance
Functional Differences
- SNS increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, decreases blood flow to intestines, and increases heart output
- PNS increases blood flow to intestines, decreases blood flow to skeletal muscle, and decreases heart output
- SNS triggers sweat glands, while PNS triggers salivary glands
Key Concepts
- ANS affects many structures and has various functions beyond the introductory material
- Study ANS in context with individual organ systems, as it plays a role in multiple bodily functions
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
- Divided into functional, not structural, parts of the nervous system
- Controls smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and gland cells through efferent neurons in the peripheral nervous system
- Functions without conscious involvement, hence "autonomic"
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- One of the two main subsystems of the ANS
- Originates in the middle of the spinal cord
- Neurons synapse in ganglia close to the spine, and then reach target cells
- Responsible for the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for threatening situations
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- The other main subsystem of the ANS
- Originates in the brain stem or lower spinal cord
- Neurons synapse in ganglia at a distance, and then reach target cells
- Responsible for the "rest and digest" response, promoting homeostasis and maintenance
Functional Differences
- SNS increases blood flow to skeletal muscle, decreases blood flow to intestines, and increases heart output
- PNS increases blood flow to intestines, decreases blood flow to skeletal muscle, and decreases heart output
- SNS triggers sweat glands, while PNS triggers salivary glands
Key Concepts
- ANS affects many structures and has various functions beyond the introductory material
- Study ANS in context with individual organ systems, as it plays a role in multiple bodily functions
Understand the autonomic nervous system and its subdivision, the sympathetic nervous system, including their functions and control over muscle cells and glands.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
