2 ANS Flashcards
Q: What constitutes the central nervous system (CNS)?
A: The brain and spinal cord.
Q: What constitutes the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
A: Cranial and spinal nerves.
Q: What are the divisions of the somatic division in the PNS?
A: sensory and motor
Q: What are the two divisions of the autonomic division?
A: Parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions.
Q: How do the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions generally interact?
A: They have antagonistic effects.
Q: Where does the parasympathetic division output from?
A: Only from two regions of the spinal cord.
Q: How do the axons of the first neuron differ between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions?
A: The sympathetic division has a short axon, while the parasympathetic division has a long axon.
Q: What is unique about the sympathetic division’s axon to the adrenal medulla?
A: It has a long axon that goes directly to the adrenal medulla, which does not have an axon.
Q: How does the sympathetic division also act?
A: Hormonally.
Q: What is a key structural feature of acetylcholine?
A: It has an ester bond and a permanent positive charge.
Q: What are the two types of acetylcholine receptors identified by Dale in 1914?
A: Muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.
Q: What type of receptor is a muscarinic receptor?
A: A G protein-coupled receptor, slow transmission.
Q: What type of receptor is a nicotinic receptor?
A: A ligand-gated ion channel, fast transmission.
Q: Where are nicotinic receptors found?
A: In skeletal muscle, CNS, and autonomic ganglia.
Q: Where are muscarinic receptors found?
A: In the CNS and PNS.
Q: Describe the process of synaptic transmission at a cholinergic terminal.
A: Choline is taken back up into the nerve terminal and made back into ACh by choline acetyl transferase. ACh is then transported into vesicles.
Q: What family does the muscarinic receptor belong to?
A: Family A.
Q: Name other important receptors in Family A.
A: Rhodopsin, adrenoceptors, angiotensin II receptors, dopamine receptors, and histamine receptors.
Q: What characterizes selective ligands in pharmacology?
A: Agonist binding sites are highly conserved, resulting in few selective agonists and competitive antagonists.
Q: What is Darifenacin and its selectivity?
A: Darifenacin is a selective ligand, being 30-fold more selective for the M3 receptor.
Q: What is the structural difference between adrenaline and noradrenaline?
A: Adrenaline has an extra methyl group on its nitrogen.
Q: Outline the biosynthesis pathway of adrenaline.
A: Tyrosine -> L-DOPA -> dopamine -> noradrenaline -> adrenaline.
Q: How is noradrenaline degraded in the body?
A: Using monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).
Q: What neurotransmitter is also a precursor in the biosynthesis of adrenaline?
A: Dopamine.
Q: What does monoamine oxidase (MAO) do in the degradation of noradrenaline?
A: It converts the nitrogen group into a CHO group.
Q: What does catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) do in the degradation of noradrenaline?
A: It adds a methyl group to the hydroxyl group on the ring.
Q: To which receptor family do adrenergic receptors belong?
A: Family A.
Q: Name the subtypes of α-adrenergic receptors.
A: α1A, α1B, α1D, α2A, α2B, α2C.
Q: Name the subtypes of β-adrenergic receptors.
A: β1, β2, β3.
Q: Where are all nine subtypes of adrenergic receptors found?
A: In the sympathetic nervous system and the central nervous system (CNS).
Q: What functions are associated with adrenergic receptors in the CNS?
A: Arousal/wakefulness, mood regulation, and blood pressure control.
Q: List some types of drugs that act on adrenergic transmission.
A: Cardiovascular drugs, anti-asthma drugs, decongestants, aphrodisiacs, migraine treatments, ADHD medications, and antidepressants.
