Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
Does the Autonomic Nervous System have involuntary or voluntary control of muscles?
Involuntary
Name the 2 parts of the autonomic nervous system and their main role
Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight)
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest and digest)
Explain what the Enteric Nervous system is
An independent neural circuitry linked to the gut
What influences the limbic system?
Memory and emotion
Explain the role of the autonomic nervous system
The Autonomic Nervous system is unconscious. Rapidly transmits sensory and motor information from/to visceral organs.
Two opposing facets - Sympathetic (fight/flight) and Parasympathetic (rest and digest)
Name the nervous system that the autonomic nervous system connects to
Enteric Nervous System
Explain the role of the sympathetic nervous system
Two neuron system, fast transmission to sympathetic ganglia chain - ‘all organs activated together’ Also includes the increased release of adrenaline - noradrenaline from adrenal glands
How many neurotransmitters have been identified in the enteric nervous system?
25
Name the neurotransmitters used in the Sympathetic nervous system and in the Parasympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic: Acetylcholine
Sympathetic: Acetylcholine, Adrenaline and Noradrenaline
How is blood pressure recognized in the heart?
Baroreceptors
Where in the brain do these sensory signals terminate?
Medulla Oblongata
If blood pressure is low, how is that information encoded in the frequency of nerve action potentials?
Decreased frequency of action potentials in the sensory fibers
Which motor nerves transmit action potentials back to the heart, and to which muscles?
The Vagus nerve carries both sensory and motor information- signals to reduce heart rate
In a healthy individual, what would happen to restore balance?
When blood pressure is low the sympathetic nervous system would act to constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure
Explain the function of the enteric nervous system
Gut-specific nervous system
Involuntary reflex control of muscle contraction and local blood flow
Responds to local alteration in gut function including gut inflammation
