15.2

Question 1

The parasympathetic division regulates the body’s maintenance activities.

True
False

Answer 1

True

The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for regulating the body’s maintenance activities, such as digestion, rest, and energy conservation. It is often described as promoting a “rest and digest” state.

Question 2

The sympathetic division mobilizes the body during exercise, excitement or emergency.

True
False

Answer 2

True

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for mobilizing the body during exercise, excitement, or emergency situations. It is often described as the “fight or flight” response, preparing the body for rapid action.

Question 3

Parasympathetic neurons arise from motor nuclei of the brain stem and the cervical region of the spinal cord.

True
False

Answer 3

False

Parasympathetic neurons arise from the brainstem and the sacral region of the spinal cord, not the cervical region. The cranial nerves involved include the oculomotor (III), facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), and vagus (X) nerves, and the sacral outflow involves segments S2 to S4 of the spinal cord.

Question 4

Preganglionic axons of the sympathetic division arise from the thoracic and lumbar region of the spinal cord.

True
False

Answer 4

True

Preganglionic axons of the sympathetic division arise from the thoracic (T1-T12) and lumbar (L1-L2) regions of the spinal cord. This is why the sympathetic division is also referred to as the thoracolumbar division.

Question 5

The sympathetic division innervates the visceral organs as well as superficial structures such as the eyes and skin.

True
False

Answer 5

True

The sympathetic division innervates both visceral organs and superficial structures such as the eyes and skin. This includes functions like pupil dilation, sweat production, and piloerection (goosebumps).

Question 6

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers arising from the gray matter of the spinal cord leave via:

A) Dorsal root ganglia
B) The ventral root of spinal nerves
C) The dorsal root of spinal nerves
D) Sympathetic trunk ganglia

Answer 6

B) The ventral root of spinal nerves

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers arising from the gray matter of the spinal cord leave via the ventral root of spinal nerves.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the parasympathetic division is not true:

A) Preganglionic neurons synapse with post-ganglionic neurons in terminal ganglia close to target organs.
B) Preganglionic axons of the parasympathetic division are usually very long, extending from the CNS almost all the way to the organs they innervate.
C) Preganglionic axons arise from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord.
D) The parasympathetic division regulates the body’s maintenance activities, such as digestion, while also conserving energy.

Answer 7

C) Preganglionic axons arise from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord.

This statement is not true. Preganglionic axons of the parasympathetic division arise from the brainstem and the sacral region of the spinal cord, not the thoracic and lumbar regions.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the sympathetic division is not true:

A) Preganglionic axons of the sympathetic division are usually short.
B) The sympathetic division mobilizes the body during exercise, excitement or emergency.
C) The sympathetic division innervates only the visceral organs.
D) Preganglionic axons of the sympathetic division arise from the thoracic and lumbar region of the spinal cord, pass through rami communicates and enter sympathetic trunk ganglia.

Answer 8

C) The sympathetic division innervates only the visceral organs.

This statement is not true. The sympathetic division innervates both visceral organs and superficial structures such as the eyes, skin, and blood vessels.

Question 9

Which of the following characteristics is NOT associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?

A) Uses norepinephrine as both pre and post-ganglionic neurotransmitter
B) Its preganglionic cell bodies arise from brain stem and sacral region of spinal cord
C) Associated with normal organ maintenance functions
D) Slows the heart rate under resting conditions
E) Regulates normal digestion and elimination of wastes

Answer 9

A) Uses norepinephrine as both pre and post-ganglionic neurotransmitter

This characteristic is not associated with the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system primarily uses acetylcholine as the neurotransmitter for both preganglionic and postganglionic neurons. Norepinephrine is primarily used by the sympathetic nervous system as a postganglionic neurotransmitter.

Question 10

Which of the following characteristics is NOT associated with the sympathetic nervous system?

A) Autonomic ganglion located near target organ
B) Preganglionic cell bodies arise from thoracic and lumbar vertebrae
C) Associated with stress response
D) Controls blood vessel dilation and constriction
E) Increases rate and force of heartbeat

Answer 10

A) Autonomic ganglion located near target organ

This characteristic is not associated with the sympathetic nervous system. In the sympathetic nervous system, autonomic ganglia are typically located closer to the spinal cord in the sympathetic trunk (chain) ganglia or prevertebral ganglia, rather than near the target organs.

Question 11

The parasympathetic division is also called the craniosacral division because its preganglionic fibers arise from the brain stem and the sacral region of the spinal cord.

True
False

Answer 11

True.

The parasympathetic division is indeed referred to as the craniosacral division due to the origins of its preganglionic fibers.

Question 12

The sympathetic division is associated with the “rest and digest” response.

True
False

Answer 12

False.

The sympathetic division is associated with the “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic division is associated with “rest and digest.”

Question 13

The sympathetic division controls thermoregulatory responses to heat.

True
False

Answer 13

True.

The sympathetic division does control thermoregulatory responses to heat, among other functions.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a role of the parasympathetic division?

A) Promotes digestion and diuresis
B) Increases heart rate and dilates bronchioles
C) Conserves body’s energy
D) Promotes defecation

Answer 14

B) Increases heart rate and dilates bronchioles.

This is a role of the sympathetic division.

Question 15

Preganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic division synapse with postganglionic neurons in:

A) Sympathetic trunk ganglia
B) Terminal ganglia close to/within target organs
C) Dorsal root ganglia
D) Lateral horns of the spinal cord

Answer 15

B) Terminal ganglia close to/within target organs.

Parasympathetic preganglionic fibers synapse in terminal ganglia.

Question 16

The sympathetic division is anatomically more complex than the parasympathetic division because:

A) It only supplies visceral organs in internal body cavities
B) It supplies both visceral organs and structures in the superficial part of the body
C) It has longer preganglionic fibers
D) It uses only acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter

Answer 16

B) It supplies both visceral organs and structures in the superficial part of the body.

This complexity is due to its wider range of targets.

Question 17

The major neurotransmitter released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons is ________.

Answer 17

acetylcholine (ACh).

Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine.

Question 18

The parasympathetic nervous system is also known as the ________ division due to its origins.

Answer 18

craniosacral.

This name reflects its origin in the brainstem and sacral spinal cord.

Question 19

Most visceral organs are served by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, a phenomenon known as ________.

Answer 19

dual innervation.

This term describes the innervation by both divisions.

Question 20

Most sympathetic postganglionic axons release acetylcholine (ACh).

True
False

Answer 20

False.

Most sympathetic postganglionic axons release norepinephrine (NE), not acetylcholine. The exception is at sweat glands, where they release ACh​

Question 21

The sympathetic division is responsible for the “rest and digest” response.

True
False

Answer 21

False.

The sympathetic division is responsible for the “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic division handles “rest and digest”​

Question 22

The neurotransmitter released by all ANS preganglionic axons is:

A) Norepinephrine (NE)
B) Dopamine
C) Acetylcholine (ACh)
D) Serotonin

Answer 22

C) Acetylcholine (ACh).

All ANS preganglionic axons release acetylcholine​

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the parasympathetic division?

A) Promotes maintenance activities
B) Increases heart rate and respiratory rates
C) Directs digestion, diuresis, and defecation
D) Synapses in terminal ganglia close to target organs

Answer 23

B) Increases heart rate and respiratory rates.

Increasing heart rate and respiratory rates is a characteristic of the sympathetic division

Question 24

The parasympathetic division is also known as the ________ division because its preganglionic fibers arise from the brain stem and the sacral region of the spinal cord.

Answer 24

craniosacral.

This reflects its origin in the brainstem and sacral spinal cord​

Question 25

The neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) binds to ________ receptors.

Answer 25

adrenergic.

Adrenergic receptors bind to norepinephrine (NE)