ANS Organ Effects

Question 1

What does the sympathetic system do to the heart?

Answer 1

Increases heart rate, AV conduction, and contractility (β₁ receptors)

Question 2

What does the parasympathetic system do to the heart?

Answer 2

Decreases heart rate and AV conduction (muscarinic receptors)

Question 3

What does the sympathetic system do to skin and organ vessels?

Answer 3

Constricts (α₁ receptors)

Question 4

What does the sympathetic system do to muscle vessels?

Answer 4

Dilates (β₂ receptors)

Question 5

What does the parasympathetic system do to endothelium?

Answer 5

Releases EDRF (relaxing factor) via muscarinic receptors

Question 6

What does the sympathetic system do to the bronchioles?

Answer 6

Dilates them (β₂ receptors)

Question 7

What does the parasympathetic system do to the bronchioles?

Answer 7

Constricts them (muscarinic receptors)

Question 8

What does the sympathetic system do to GI walls and sphincters?

Answer 8

Relaxes walls (α₂, β₂), contracts sphincters (α₁)

Question 9

What does the parasympathetic system do to the GI tract?

Answer 9

Contracts walls, relaxes sphincters, increases secretions (all muscarinic)

Question 10

What does the sympathetic system do to the bladder?

Answer 10

Relaxes wall (β₂), contracts sphincter (α₁)

Question 11

What does the parasympathetic system do to the bladder?

Answer 11

Contracts wall, relaxes sphincter (muscarinic)

Question 12

What does the sympathetic system do to male genitalia?

Answer 12

Causes ejaculation (α)

Question 13

What does the parasympathetic system do to male genitalia?

Answer 13

Causes erection (muscarinic + nitric oxide)

Question 14

What does the sympathetic system do to the eye?

Answer 14

Dilates pupil (α₁), relaxes ciliary muscle for far vision (β)

Question 15

What does the parasympathetic system do to the eye?

Answer 15

Constricts pupil (muscarinic), contracts ciliary muscle for near vision

Question 16

What does the sympathetic system do to skin glands and muscles?

Answer 16

↑ Sweating (muscarinic for thermoregulation)
↑ Stress sweat (α)
Goosebumps (α)

Question 17

What does the parasympathetic system do to tear (lacrimal) glands?

Answer 17

Increases secretion (muscarinic)

Question 18

What does the sympathetic system do to the liver?

Answer 18

Increases glucose production (α, β₂)

Question 19

What does the sympathetic system do to fat tissue?

Answer 19

Breaks down fat (lipolysis via β₃)

Question 20

What does the sympathetic system do to the kidney?

Answer 20

Increases renin secretion (β₁)