Autonomic and endocrine systems

Question 1

Describe the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 1

Fight or flight response: exercise, emotion, excitement

Question 2

Describe the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 2

Relaxation response: repletion, rest, relaxation

Question 3

Describe the actions of the sympathetic response?

Answer 3

Increased rate and force of heart contraction, contraction of erector pili muscles in skin and sweating, pupil dilation, decreased salivation, constriction of blood vessels (especially in extremities), dilation of bronchi, increased blood sugar levels, increased blood pressure, increased water retention, decreased digestion

Question 4

Describe sympathetic nerves?

Answer 4

Spine > pre ganglionic neuron > ganglion (cell bodies) > post ganglionic neuron > effector cell

Question 5

What neurotransmitter is used on the pre and post ganglionic neurons in sympathetic nerves?

Answer 5

Pre ganglionic neurons - acetylcholine

Post ganglionic neurons - norepinephrine

Question 6

What neurotransmitter is used on the pre and post ganglionic neurons in sympathetic SWEAT GLAND nerves?

Answer 6

Pre ganglionic neurons - acetylcholine

Post ganglionic neurons - acetylcholine

Question 7

Describe the actions of the parasympathetic response?

Answer 7

Decreased rate and force of heart contraction, contraction of pupils, increased salivation, dilation of blood vessels, constriction of bronchi, increased digestion

Question 8

Describe parasympathetic nerves?

Answer 8

Spine > pre ganglionic neuron > ganglion > post ganglionic neuron > effector cell

Question 9

What neurotransmitters are used in parasympathetic nerves?

Answer 9

Pre ganglionic neuron - acetylcholine

Post ganglionic neuron - acetylcholine

Question 10

Name the endocrine organs?

Answer 10

Hypothalamus, pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, kidneys, pancreas, stomach, liver, skin, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands

Question 11

Describe the pathway of circulating hormones?

Answer 11

Endocrine cell > secretes hormone > bloodstream > faraway target cells

Question 12

Describe the pathway of paracrine hormones?

Answer 12

Endocrine cell > secretes hormone > paracrine receptors > nearby target cells

Question 13

Describe the pathway of autocrine hormones?

Answer 13

Endocrine cell > secrets hormone > autocrine receptors > same cell target cell

Question 14

Describe how lipid soluble hormones function?

Answer 14

Hormone diffuses into cell, activated receptor-hormone complex alters gene expression, new mRNA directs synthesis of specific proteins in ribosomes, new protein alters cell activity

Question 15

Describe how water soluble hormones function?

Answer 15

Hormone binds to surface receptor to activate G protein releasing adenyl cyclase, adenyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP, cAMP acts as 2nd messenger and activates protein kinases, activated protein kinases phosphorylate other enzymes, phosphorylated enzymes catalyse reactions that produce physiological responses

Question 16

Describe the pathway of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis?

Answer 16

Hypothalamus releases corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), travels along hypophyseal portal veins to pituitary, stimulates anterior pituitary gland to release corticotropin, travels through capillaries to the adrenal cortex which releases cortisol to endocrine organs. Cortisol acts in a negative feedback loop to inhibit CRH secretion.

Question 17

What are the functions of cortisol?

Answer 17

Protein breakdown, gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, resistance to stress, vasoconstriction, anti-inflammatory, immune depression

Question 18

What does CRH do?

Answer 18

CRH stands for corticotropin releasing hormone and it is a hormone which is released from the hypothalamus to stimulate the pituitary gland to release corticotropin

Question 19

What does corticotropin do?

Answer 19

It is released from the pituitary gland and travels through the capillaries to stimulate the adrenal cortex

Question 20

Describe the endocrine stress response?

Answer 20

Sympathetic autonomic nervous system activation, mobilise resources for immediate physical activity, glucose and oxygen consumption, alertness and activity, reduce tissue damage, ward off danger or flee

Question 21

Describe the endocrine resistance reaction?

Answer 21

Slower and longer lasting, associated with the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and cortisol production

Question 22

Describe how the endocrine and autonomic systems function together to respond to sudden stress/alarm?

Answer 22

Sympathetic autonomic nervous system activation and endocrine stress response