Autonomic And Motor System Functions Flashcards
What is the function of the Efferent Division of the Peripheral Nervous System?
Transmitting output to Effectors
What types of neurons carry signals away from the CNS?
Efferent or Motor Neurons
What does the somatic nervous system stimulate?
Effector organs that are under conscious control
What does the autonomic nervous system stimulate?
Effector organs involved in reflexes
What is a motor unit?
One somatic motor neuron and all the skeletal muscle fibers it stimulates
Where are the cell bodies and dendrites of somatic motor neurons located?
Within the CNS
What is the chemical synapse formed between a somatic motor neuron and skeletal muscle fibers called?
Neuromuscular junction
What neurotransmitter is released by somatic motor neurons?
Acetylcholine
What is the role of acetylcholine in skeletal muscle contraction?
Induces an action potential in the skeletal muscle fiber, leading to contraction
What are the two anatomically separate divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
How many neurons are required to stimulate an effector organ in the autonomic nervous system?
Two neurons
What is the axon length of the preganglionic neuron in the sympathetic division?
Short axon
What neurotransmitter do most postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic division release?
Norepinephrine
What is the axon length of the preganglionic neuron in the parasympathetic division?
Long axon
What neurotransmitter do all neurons in the parasympathetic division release?
Acetylcholine
What is dual innervation?
When an effector is regulated by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
What type of dual innervation is it when both divisions work together to regulate an effector?
Complementary dual innervation
What is an example of antagonistic dual innervation?
Regulation of heart rate
What happens to heart rate with increased sympathetic stimulation?
Increased heart rate
What happens to heart rate with increased parasympathetic stimulation?
Decreased heart rate
What muscles are involved in micturition (urination)?
- Detrusor muscle
- Internal urethral sphincter
- External urethral sphincter
What type of muscle is the external urethral sphincter?
Skeletal muscle under voluntary control
Fill in the blank: The sympathetic division regulates blood flow through _______.
Arterioles
What are the two processes that regulate blood flow through arterioles?
- Vasoconstriction
- Vasodilation
What determines the diameter of arterioles?
Frequency of action potentials
