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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?
What is the primary function of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?
- Facilitating quick response actions (correct)
- Promoting relaxation and digestion
- Enhancing long-term memory processing
- Regulating blood pressure during rest
Which of the following is NOT an action associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?
Which of the following is NOT an action associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?
- Stimulating salivary gland secretion
- Dilating blood vessels to the gastrointestinal tract
- Increasing heart rate (correct)
- Constriction of the pupil
Which statement is true regarding the structure of autonomic nervous system pathways?
Which statement is true regarding the structure of autonomic nervous system pathways?
- They are limited to voluntary muscle control
- They generally consist of a 2-neuron series (correct)
- They consist of a single neuron from the CNS to the effector
- They exclusively use hormonal signaling
What impact does the sympathetic division have on the bronchioles of the lungs?
What impact does the sympathetic division have on the bronchioles of the lungs?
Which of the following correctly describes a difference between neurons and hormones in the context of the nervous system?
Which of the following correctly describes a difference between neurons and hormones in the context of the nervous system?
What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system?
What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system?
Which physiological response is associated with the fight or flight reaction?
Which physiological response is associated with the fight or flight reaction?
The release of hormones like insulin and glucagon is primarily controlled by which part of the body?
The release of hormones like insulin and glucagon is primarily controlled by which part of the body?
What hormonal effect is typically observed when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?
What hormonal effect is typically observed when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?
Which of the following is NOT considered a component of the Four F’s in terms of survival responses?
Which of the following is NOT considered a component of the Four F’s in terms of survival responses?
Which effect is specifically linked to the parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system?
Which effect is specifically linked to the parasympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system?
What is one consequence of the autonomic nervous system's response during stress?
What is one consequence of the autonomic nervous system's response during stress?
Auditory exclusion is a phenomenon associated with which type of autonomic response?
Auditory exclusion is a phenomenon associated with which type of autonomic response?
What distinguishes the pre-ganglionic fiber length between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems?
What distinguishes the pre-ganglionic fiber length between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems?
What is the typical divergence ratio of post-synaptic fibers in the sympathetic nervous system?
What is the typical divergence ratio of post-synaptic fibers in the sympathetic nervous system?
Which neurotransmitter is released by the post-ganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system?
Which neurotransmitter is released by the post-ganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system?
In terms of neurotransmitter release, what characterizes the pre-ganglionic fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system?
In terms of neurotransmitter release, what characterizes the pre-ganglionic fibers in the parasympathetic nervous system?
When confronted with a tiger in the forest, which physiological response is most likely initiated?
When confronted with a tiger in the forest, which physiological response is most likely initiated?
Which adrenergic receptor subtype has a higher binding affinity for epinephrine?
Which adrenergic receptor subtype has a higher binding affinity for epinephrine?
How does the sympathetic nervous system primarily affect smooth and skeletal muscle during stress?
How does the sympathetic nervous system primarily affect smooth and skeletal muscle during stress?
Which statement about the origin of the divisions in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is true?
Which statement about the origin of the divisions in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems is true?
Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupillary constriction and lens accommodation?
Which cranial nerve is responsible for pupillary constriction and lens accommodation?
What is the sequence of hormone release in the HPA axis during chronic stress?
What is the sequence of hormone release in the HPA axis during chronic stress?
Which cranial nerve is primarily involved in salivation from the parotid gland?
Which cranial nerve is primarily involved in salivation from the parotid gland?
Which of the following statements about β receptors in coronary arteries is true?
Which of the following statements about β receptors in coronary arteries is true?
In response to acute stress, which part of the nervous system is primarily activated?
In response to acute stress, which part of the nervous system is primarily activated?
Which hormone is released by the anterior pituitary in response to CRH from the hypothalamus?
Which hormone is released by the anterior pituitary in response to CRH from the hypothalamus?
Which cranial nerve primarily facilitates digestive functions in the gastrointestinal tract?
Which cranial nerve primarily facilitates digestive functions in the gastrointestinal tract?
What impact does chronic stress primarily have on the HPA axis?
What impact does chronic stress primarily have on the HPA axis?
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Study Notes
Autonomic Nervous System
- Largely unconscious system that regulates bodily functions like heart rate, breathing, digestion, pupil response, urination, and sexual arousal.
- Innervates cardiac/skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.
- Glands release hormones, and the autonomic nervous system controls hormone release to regulate bodily functions, energy metabolism, etc.
- Responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
- Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): “Fight or Flight” - functions in actions requiring quick responses.
- Diverting blood flow from gastrointestinal tract and skin.
- Enhancing blood flow to skeletal muscles and lungs.
- Dilating bronchioles of the lung to allow for greater oxygen exchange
- Increasing heart rate.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS): “Rest & Digest / Feed & Breed” - functions in actions that don’t require immediate action.
- Dilating blood vessels leading to the gastrointestinal tract.
- Constriction of the pupil.
- Contraction of the ciliary muscle (closer vision).
- Stimulating salivary gland secretion.
Autonomic Nervous System Pathways
- ANS divisions are structured as a 2-neuron series that goes from the CNS to peripheral effectors (with one exception).
Dual Innervation
- Most organs receive input from both SNS and PSNS divisions.
SNS vs PSNS Characteristics
- Origin of Division/ SC Exit Points
- Parasympathetic: Cranio-sacral
- Sympathetic: Thoracolumbar
- Pre-ganglionic fiber length (CB in CNS)
- Parasympathetic: Long
- Sympathetic: Short
- Post-ganglionic fiber length (CB outside CNS)
- Parasympathetic: Short
- Sympathetic: Long
- Divergence (# of post synaptic fibers to a single preganglionic fiber)
- Parasympathetic: Low (1:~4)
- Sympathetic: High (1:~20)
- Pre-ganglionic neurotransmitter: Acetylcholine
- Post-ganglionic neurotransmitter:
- Parasympathetic: Acetylcholine (cholinergic)
- Sympathetic: Norepinephrine (adrenergic)
Adrenergic Receptors
- Two subtypes: α and β
- α subtype has lower binding affinity but is more highly expressed
- β subtype has higher binding affinity but lower expression
- Only high levels of circulating epinephrine cause vasoconstriction.
- Expression is tissue-specific.
Parasympathetic Cranial Nerves
- CN III Oculomotor: Pupillary constriction/dilation, lens
- CN VII Facial: Salivary/lacrimal glands
- CN IX Glossopharyngeal: Parotid gland: salivation
- CN X Vagus: Heart and lungs and gastrointestinal tract
Chronic Stress
- Autonomic nervous system responds to acute stress.
- Chronic stress can have significant impacts on physiological systems and overall health due to extended activation of the HPA axis.
HPA Axis - Chronic Stress
- H: Hypothalamus
- P: Anterior Pituitary
- A: Adrenal Cortex
- Mechanism:
- Hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).
- CRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
- ACTH triggers the adrenal cortex to release cortisol.
- Cortisol: stress hormone that plays a role in regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism.
- It also has anti-inflammatory effects.
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