ANS Flashcards
where are the preganglionic neurons of the SNS located?
- are they myelinated or not?
intermediolateral column of the thoracic and upper lumbar segments of the spinal cord.
- myelinated
(recall that the PNS preganglionic neurons are located superior to that in the brainstem and posterior to that in the sacral spinal cord)
What is the NT released by the preganglionic sympathetic neurons?
Ach
*note: Preganglionic are all nicotinic ACh - excitatory
What is the NT released by the postganglionic sympathetic neurons?
○ Sympathetic: Norepinephrine (NE) and Epinephrine
*note: Post Para: Ach
Where are the postganglionic sympathetic neurons located?
-is it myelinated or unmyelinated?
ganglia of the sympathetic trunk
(paravertebral chain ganglia aka collateral ganglia)
- unmyelinated
What do epinephrine and norepinephrine bind to?
Adrenergic receptors in the blood stream.
- Thus, rather than acting as neurotransmitters, these agents become hormones that regulate the activity of distant target tissues.
Vasodilation and vasoconstriction are controlled primarily by the ______ nervous system.
sympathetic
What does the NT ACh act on/bind to?
nicotinic cholinergic receptors on post symp and post para neurons
or
muscarinic cholinergic receptors on post para neurons
Nicotinic receptor
- what is it?
- what happens when ACh binds?
- ligand-gated, non-selective cation channel (post symp and post para receptor)
- the ion channel that is part of the receptor protein opens and allows rapid movement of Na+ and K+ across the membrane, leading to depolarization and excitation.
Muscarinic receptor
- what is it?
- what happens when ACh binds?
- receptors in the cell membrane are linked to a GTP-binding (G) protein.
- When ACh binds to the extracellular site of the muscarinic receptor protein –>
conformational change occurs within the receptor molecule –>
“activation” of the G protein coupled to the receptor –>
The G protein then either stimulates or inhibits other intracellular effectors such as enzymes or ion channels –>
producing a physiological response.
Subtypes of adrenergic receptors
alpha 1
alpha 2
beta 1
beta 2
- good to know for drug targets ;)
CV related action of agonist on:
alpha 1
alpha 2
a1: vasoconstriction in skin
a2: Presynaptic inhibition of NE release; some vasoconstriction
CV related action of agonist on:
beta 1
beta 2
b1: Increased HR (chronotropy)
b2: Increased HR; vasodilation in skeletal muscle
name an agonist: a1: a2: b1: b2:
a1: phenylephrine
a2: Clonidine
b1: Dobutamine
b2: Albuterol
drugs that result in sympathetic activation are considered _______
drugs that result in parasympathetic activation are considered ________
sympathomimetic,
parasympathomimetic
The activity of the autonomic nervous system is regulated by information coming from _____ _____ and from _______
visceral afferents
higher CNS centers.