Autonomic nervous system

Question 1

What does autonomous mean?

Answer 1

Self governing

Question 2

What is the visceral nervous system?

Answer 2

Part of the ANS and has control over internal organs

Question 3

What is the hierarchy of the nervous systems?

Answer 3

1. Central Nervous system
2. Peripheral nervous system
3. Somatic and Autonomic
4. (Autonomic) - Parasympathetic, sympathetic and enteric

Question 4

What does afferent mean?

Answer 4

Carries instructions TO the CNS

Question 5

What does efferent mean?

Answer 5

Carries instructions FROM the CNS

Question 6

What does somatic mean?

Answer 6

Under our conscious control - skeletal muscles

Question 7

What does autonomic mean?

Answer 7

Unconscious control of cardiac, smooth muscle and glands

Question 8

Where is the para/sympathetic division located?

Answer 8

Based on the CNS location of the cell body on the preganglionic nerve

Question 9

Where is the enteric system located?

Answer 9

The gut

Question 10

What do axons of the SOMATIC nervous system have?

Answer 10

A single myelinated axon extending from the CNS to the effector

Question 11

Where is the cell body located for skeletal muscle?

Answer 11

Spinal cord

Question 12

What do axons of the AUTONOMIC NS have?

Answer 12

A 2 neuron chain - pre ganglionic (extends to ganglion) and post ganglionic neuron (extends from ganglion to effector)

Question 13

What is a ganglia?

Answer 13

Cell bodies of many peripheral autonomic neurones occur in clusters and and form swellings on nerve trunks

Question 14

Name 2 EFFERENT pathways of there ANS

Answer 14

1. Preganglionic autonomic fibres

2. Postganglionic autonomic fibres

Question 15

What are the axons that form synapses with ganglion cells called?

Answer 15

Preganglionic autonomic fibres

Question 16

What are the axons that innervate effector cells?

Answer 16

Postganglionic autonomic fibres

Question 17

What is different about the postganglionic neurone?

Answer 17

It has many varicosities from which the neurotransmitter is released

Question 18

What is the neuroransmitter of the preganglionic nerves?

Answer 18

Acetylcholine

Question 19

What are the neurotransmitters of the postganglionic nerve?

Answer 19

Acetylcholine and Noradrenaline

Question 20

What do both post and pre ganglionic nerves have?

Answer 20

Non - adrenergic non - cholinergic neurotransmission (Transmitters and modulators)

Question 21

What are 4 examples of non-voluntary homeostasis processes:

Answer 21

1. Heartbeat
2. Contraction of smooth muscle in organs and blood vessels
3. Exocrine secretions - hormonal
4. Energy metabolism (liver)

Question 22

What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?

Answer 22

They function separately and have opposing effects in some states

Question 23

What is sympathetic activity?

Answer 23

Level of perceived threat (fight or flight). Increased HR, blood sugar, hair erected etc

Question 24

What is parasympathetic activity?

Answer 24

Homeostasis. Rest and digest

Question 25

Give a brief 4 step run through of the ParaS NS

Answer 25

1. Preganglionic axons emerge from cranial and sacral regions of CNS
2. Preganglionic axons form synapses in ganglia near to effector tissues
3. Sacral nerves - form pelvic plexuses
4. Pre ganglionic fibres are LONG, post ganglionic fibres are SHORT

Question 26

What are the 3 different chains the pre ganglionic sympathetic axons can terminate in?

Answer 26

1. Paravertebral sympathetic chains
2. Prevertebral ganglia/plexuses - abdominal cavity
3. Adrenal medulla - 10th/11th segment