Autonomic Nervous System

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

Which of the following is not directly innervated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

  • Glands in the skin
  • Cardiac muscle of the heart
  • Smooth muscle of the digestive tract
  • Skeletal muscle of the biceps brachii (correct)

The somatic nervous system uses a two-neuron chain to reach its effectors, allowing for modulation of the signal at a ganglion.

False (B)

What specific neurotransmitter is released by all somatic motor neurons, and what is its general effect on the target cells?

Acetylcholine (ACh); excitatory

In the autonomic nervous system, preganglionic fibers release ______, while postganglionic fibers release either norepinephrine or ______, depending on the target organ and receptor type.

<p>acetylcholine; acetylcholine</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each description with the corresponding division of the autonomic nervous system:

<p>Mobilizes the body during extreme situations; 'fight or flight' = Sympathetic Performs maintenance activities and conserves body energy = Parasympathetic Increases heart rate, dilates pupils, and inhibits digestion = Sympathetic Decreases heart rate, constricts pupils, and stimulates digestion = Parasympathetic</p> Signup and view all the answers

During a stressful situation, which of the following physiological responses is primarily mediated by the sympathetic nervous system?

<p>Bronchodilation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The parasympathetic nervous system is primarily active during physical exercise and intense activity.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the 'D activities' associated with the parasympathetic nervous system, and what do they generally entail?

<p>Digestion and defecation; Activities associated with conserving energy, maintaining resting functions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sympathetic division is characterized by having short ______ fibers and long ______ fibers, with ganglia located close to the spinal cord.

<p>preganglionic; postganglionic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following control functions with the appropriate region:

<p>Overall integration of ANS activity = Hypothalamus Subconscious cerebral input = Limbic lobe Regulation of pupil size, respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure = Reticular formation Urination, defecation, erection, and ejaculation reflexes = Spinal cord</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

<p>They counterbalance each other's activity to maintain homeostasis. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Visceral reflexes are typically monosynaptic, providing a direct and rapid response without interneurons.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the hypothalamus play in the autonomic nervous system, and what types of functions does it control?

<p>Main integration center of ANS; controls heart activity, blood pressure, body temperature, water balance, endocrine activity, emotional stages, etc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The parasympathetic division is responsible for activities associated with keeping body ______ use low, such as digestion and ______.

<p>energy; defecation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each characteristic with the correct division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS):

<p>Pupils dilate, skin becomes cold and sweaty = Sympathetic division Involves the 'E' activities: exercise, excitement, emergency, and embarrassment = Sympathetic division Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates are low = Parasympathetic division Involves the 'D' activities: digestion and defecation = Parasympathetic division</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes a key difference in neurotransmitter effects between the somatic and autonomic nervous systems?

<p>Somatic motor neurons release acetylcholine, which always has an excitatory effect, while autonomic neurons can release either acetylcholine or norepinephrine with varied effects. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The location of ganglia in the parasympathetic nervous system is typically close to the spinal cord, allowing for quick and widespread responses.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'fight-or-flight' system, and which division of the autonomic nervous system is associated with it?

<p>The body's response to threats; sympathetic division</p> Signup and view all the answers

The effect of the ANS on a target organ is dependent upon the ______ released and the ______ type of the effector.

<p>neurotransmitter; receptor</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following characteristics to the appropriate efferent pathway:

<p>Heavily myelinated axons extending directly from the CNS to the effector = Somatic Nervous System Two-neuron chain with a lightly myelinated preganglionic axon = Autonomic Nervous System Ganglionic neuron extending to an effector organ = Autonomic Nervous System Direct, fast response to skeletal muscles = Somatic Nervous System</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Motor neurons that innervate smooth and cardiac muscle and glands, making adjustments to support body activities via subconscious control.

ANS Effectors

The ANS effectors are cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.

ANS Axon Structure

A two-neuron chain where the preganglionic neuron has a lightly myelinated axon and the ganglionic neuron extends to the effector organ.

Somatic Motor Neurons

All somatic motor neurons release Acetylcholine (ACh), producing an excitatory effect.

Signup and view all the flashcards

ANS Neurotransmitters

Preganglionic fibers release ACh; postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine or ACh, with effects that can be stimulatory or inhibitory.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sympathetic Division

Mobilizes the body during extreme situations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Parasympathetic Division

Performs maintenance activities and conserves body energy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sympathetic Anatomy

Short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers; ganglia are close to the spinal cord.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Parasympathetic Anatomy

Long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers; ganglia are in the visceral effector organs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Visceral Reflexes

Reflexes that have the same elements as somatic reflexes, are always polysynaptic, and have afferent fibers in spinal and autonomic nerves.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hypothalamus

The main integration center of ANS activity; influenced by the limbic lobe, cerebral cortex, reticular formation, and spinal cord.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hypothalamic Control

Controls heart activity, blood pressure, body temperature, water balance, endocrine activity, emotional stages, biological drives, and reactions to fear.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • The autonomic nervous system is composed of motor neurons.
  • These neurons innervate smooth and cardiac muscle, as well as glands.
  • The autonomic nervous system makes adjustments for optimal body support.
  • It operates via subconscious control.
  • Viscera are the main effectors of the the autonomic nervous system.

ANS vs. SNS

  • The Autonomic Nervous System differs from the Somatic Nervous System in effectors, efferent pathways, and target organ responses.

Effectors

  • Skeletal muscles effect the SNS.
  • Cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands effect the ANS.

Efferent pathways

  • In the SNS heavily myelinated axons of the somatic motor neurons extend from the CNS to the effector.
  • The ANS uses a two-neuron chain.
    • The preganglionic neuron (first) has a lightly myelinated axon.
    • The ganglionic neuron (second) extends to an effector organ.

Neurotransmitter effects

  • All somatic motor neurons release Acetylcholine (ACh), which has an excitatory effect.
  • In the ANS:
    • Preganglionic fibers release ACh.
    • Postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine or ACh, and the effect is either stimulatory or inhibitory.
    • The effect on the target organ depends on the neurotransmitter released and the receptor type of the effector.

Divisions of the ANS

  • The two divisions of the ANS are the sympathetic and parasympathetic.
  • The sympathetic division mobilizes the body during extreme situations.
  • The parasympathetic division carries out maintenance activities and conserves body energy.
  • The two divisions counterbalance each other's activity.

Role of the Parasympathetic Division

  • This division keeps body energy use low.
  • It involves the "D" activities: digestion and defecation.
  • Its activity is evident in a relaxed person after a meal.
    • Their blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates are low.
    • Gastrointestinal tract activity is high.
    • The skin is warm, and the pupils are constricted.

Role of the Sympathetic Division

  • The sympathetic division is the "fight-or-flight" system.
  • It involves "E" activities: exercise, excitement, emergency, and embarrassment.
  • This promotes adjustments during exercise.
    • Blood flow to organs is reduced, and flow to muscles is increased.
  • The activity is illustrated by a person who is threatened.
    • Their heart rate increases, and breathing is rapid and deep.
    • The skin is cold and sweaty, and the pupils dilate.

Anatomy of the ANS

  • The sympathetic division has a short preganglionic fiber length and long postganglionic fiber length, with ganglia close to the spinal cord.
  • The parasympathetic division has a long preganglionic fiber length and short postganglionic fiber length, with ganglia in the visceral effector organs.

Visceral Reflexes

  • Visceral reflexes have the same elements as somatic reflexes.
  • They are always polysynaptic pathways.
  • Afferent fibers are located in spinal and autonomic nerves.

Levels of ANS Control

  • The hypothalamus is the main integration center of ANS activity.
  • Subconscious cerebral input via limbic lobe connections influences hypothalamic function.
  • Other controls come from the cerebral cortex, the reticular formation, and the spinal cord.

Hypothalamic Control

  • Centers of the hypothalamus control:
    • Heart activity and blood pressure.
    • Body temperature, water balance, and endocrine activity.
    • Emotional stages (rage, pleasure) and biological drives (hunger, thirst, sex).
    • Reactions to fear and the "fight-or-flight" system.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser