Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Involuntary branch of the nervous system
To maintain homeostasis
What is homeostasis?
Balance, everything in its place
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic and parasympathetic
T/F: Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems involve a 2-neuron chain
True
What are the 2 neurons in this neuron chain?
The first neuron is called the pre-ganglionic neuron and the second is called the post-ganglionic neuron
What is the pre-ganglionic neuron?
It is a neuron that lies before a bundle of cell bodies
It typically has a cell body in the lateral horn of the spinal cord
What is the post-ganglionic neuron?
It is a neuron that lies after a bundle of cell bodies
It typically has a cell body in the peripheral autonomic ganglion
What response does the sympathetic nervous system cause?
Fight or flight
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
Prepare the body for strenuous activity
What response does the parasympathetic nervous system cause?
Rest and digest
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
Decrease state of alertness and prepare for digestion
What is the enteric nervous system?
Nerve plexuses innervating intestinal smooth muscle
Gut motility
Are sympathetic and parasympathetic always equal and opposite?
No, but they do push and pull
What does sympathetic stimulation do to the heart?
Increases heart rate and force of contraction
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the blood vessels?
Sends blood to heart and muscles (dialation) and constricts others
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the airways?
Dilation to get more air in
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the digestive tract?
Stops
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the eyes?
Pupillary dilation and flattening of lenes to see enemies
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the sweat glands?
Stimulation
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the genitalia?
Ejaculation and orgasm
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the brain?
Increase alertness
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the heart?
Decrease heart rate and force of contraction
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the blood vessels?
Dilation of blood vessels of sexual organs
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the airways?
Constriction
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the digestive tract?
Ready to process food
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the eye?
Pupillary constriction and rounding of lens for near vision
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the sweat glands?
No effect
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the genitalia?
Erection
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the brain?
No effect
