ANS Overview

Question 1

What are the two main neuron types in the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 1

Cholinergic and adrenergic neurons

Question 2

What are the two types of neurons in the autonomic nervous system based on their location?

Answer 2

Preganglionic and postganglionic neurons

Question 3

What neurotransmitter is primarily found in all preganglionic neurons of the ANS?

Answer 3

Acetylcholine

Question 4

Which neurotransmitter is released by most postganglionic sympathetic neurons?

Answer 4

Norepinephrine

Question 5

True or False: The adrenal glands release epinephrine into systemic circulation.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Identify the major neurotransmitters found in the autonomic nervous system.

Answer 6

• Acetylcholine
• Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine
• Dopamine

Question 7

Differentiate the sympathetic control of sweat glands, kidneys, and adrenal glands from other areas of the sympathetic nervous system.

Answer 7

Sweat glands use acetylcholine, while kidneys and adrenal glands primarily use norepinephrine.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Drugs that mimic neurotransmitters are called _______.

Answer 8

Receptor agonists

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Drugs that block neurotransmitters are referred to as _______.

Answer 9

Receptor antagonists

Question 10

What are the physiological responses under parasympathetic control?

Answer 10

• Decreased heart rate
• Increased digestion
• Increased glandular secretion

Question 11

What are the physiological responses under sympathetic control?

Answer 11

• Increased heart rate
• Dilation of bronchi
• Decreased digestion

Question 12

What is the main function of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 12

Regulation of smooth and cardiac muscle, glands, and some adipose tissues

Question 13

How do sympathetic and parasympathetic actions typically interact?

Answer 13

They often oppose each other

Question 14

What type of receptors are activated by acetylcholine in postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 14

Muscarinic receptors

Question 15

What type of receptors are activated by norepinephrine in target organs of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 15

Adrenergic receptors

Question 16

Contrast the organization of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Answer 16

The sympathetic system is associated with ‘fight or flight,’ while the parasympathetic system is associated with ‘rest and digest.’

Question 17

What is autonomic tone?

Answer 17

The state of activity of autonomic pathways at rest

Question 18

The primary neurotransmitter in sympathetic postganglionic neurons, except for sweat glands, is _______.

Answer 18

Norepinephrine

Question 19

What type of neurons synapse directly on the adrenal gland?

Answer 19

Preganglionic sympathetic neurons

Question 20

Fill in the blank: The terms cholinergic and parasympathomimetic can be used _______.

Answer 20

Interchangeably

Question 21

List the major types of neurotransmitter receptors found in the autonomic nervous system.

Answer 21

• Nicotinic
• Muscarinic
• Adrenergic

Question 22

What effect does stimulation of the radial muscle of the eye have?

Answer 22

Mydriasis (pupil dilation)

Question 23

What effect does stimulation of the circular muscle of the eye have?

Answer 23

Miosis (pupil constriction)

Question 24

Describe the signal transduction pathways associated with adrenergic receptors.

Answer 24

They typically involve G-proteins and second messenger systems.

Question 25

What are the subtypes of muscarinic receptors?

Answer 25

* M1 * M2 * M3

Question 26

What is the role of dopamine in the renal vasculature?

Answer 26

Regulation of blood flow

Question 27

What are the primary ANS receptors?

Answer 27

Nicotinic N M, N N, Muscarinic M1, M2, M3, Adrenoceptors α1, α2, β1, β2, β3

Question 28

What type of channel does a nicotinic receptor function as?

Answer 28

Na+ Ion Channel

Question 29

What is the structure of nicotinic receptors?

Answer 29

5 subunits ionotropic ligand-gated Na+ channels

Question 30

What is the effect of opening nicotinic receptors?

Answer 30

Leads to depolarization of membrane

Question 31

What are the subtypes of adrenergic receptors?

Answer 31

α1, α2, β1, β2, β3

Question 32

How do adrenergic receptors signal?

Answer 32

Through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR)

Question 33

Which adrenergic receptors signal via the Gq pathway?

Answer 33

α1 and Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptors M1, M3, M5

Question 34

What is the effect of β-adrenergic receptors when activated?

Answer 34

Activate adenylyl cyclase, increase cAMP

Question 35

What is the primary function of α2 adrenergic receptors?

Answer 35

Inhibit sympathetic output as autoreceptors

Question 36

Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response.

Answer 36

Sympathetic

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system is responsible for rest and digest functions.

Answer 37

Parasympathetic

Question 38

What is the effect of M2 and M4 muscarinic receptors?

Answer 38

Inhibit adenylyl cyclase, reduced cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity

Question 39

True or False: The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have opposite effects.

Answer 39

True

Question 40

What is the role of cholinergic receptors in the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 40

Mediates responses to acetylcholine

Question 41

What physiological response occurs in the heart due to adrenergic stimulation?

Answer 41

Increase heart rate and force of contraction

Question 42

What is the primary receptor responsible for bronchoconstriction?

Answer 42

Muscarinic M3

Question 43

What is the effect of β2 adrenergic receptors in the lungs?

Answer 43

Bronchodilation

Question 44

What is the role of the ciliary muscle in the eye?

Answer 44

Facilitates outflow of aqueous humor

Question 45

What is the effect of α1 receptor activation in the eye?

Answer 45

Pupillary dilation (mydriasis)

Question 46

What condition is characterized by increased intraocular pressure?

Answer 46

Glaucoma

Question 47

What type of drug is timolol?

Answer 47

Beta antagonist that decreases intraocular pressure

Question 48

What is the effect of parasympathetic stimulation on the bladder?

Answer 48

Contraction of the bladder wall

Question 49

What receptor is involved in the secretion of aqueous humor?

Answer 49

Beta receptor in ciliary epithelium

Question 50

How does the sympathetic nervous system affect blood vessels?

Answer 50

Causes vasoconstriction

Question 51

What happens to the salivary glands under sympathetic stimulation?

Answer 51

Decrease secretion

Question 52

What receptor mediates the effect of cholinergic drugs in the eye?

Answer 52

Muscarinic M3

Question 53

What is the primary effect of α2 adrenergic receptors?

Answer 53

Decreased transmitter release

Question 54

What neurotransmitter primarily activates adrenergic receptors?

Answer 54

Norepinephrine

Question 55

What physiological effect does activation of β1 adrenergic receptors have on cardiac tissue?

Answer 55

Increases heart rate and contraction force

Question 56

Fill in the blank: The _______ nervous system controls long postganglionic projections to target organs.

Answer 56

Sympathetic

Question 57

What is the primary effect of cholinergic stimulation in the gastrointestinal tract?

Answer 57

Increase secretion and contraction

Question 58

What is the role of G-proteins in adrenergic receptor signaling?

Answer 58

Transduce signals from receptors to effector enzymes

Question 59

What does the activation of M3 receptors in the lungs lead to?

Answer 59

Bronchoconstriction

Question 60

What organ's response is mediated by β2 receptors for vasodilation?

Answer 60

Skeletal muscle

Question 61

What type of receptor is primarily involved in the regulation of heart rate?

Answer 61

β1 adrenergic receptor

Question 62

What is the physiological effect of adrenergic stimulation on sweat glands?

Answer 62

Increase secretion