Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

Releasing ACh onto a nicotinic receptor is always excitatory.
TRUE or FALSE?

Answer 1

TRUE

Question 2

All cells that directly exit the CNS release ______ acting on ______ receptors.

Answer 2

All cells that directly exit the CNS release acetylcholine acting on nicotinic receptors.

Question 3

Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons release ______ that acts on ______ receptors.

Answer 3

Postganglionic parasympathetic neurons release acetylcholine that acts on muscarinic receptors.

Question 4

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons NOT in the adrenal medulla release ______ that acts on ______ receptors.

Answer 4

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons NOT in the adrenal medulla release norepinephrine that acts on adrenergic receptors.

Question 5

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons in the adrenal medulla release (mostly) ______ that acts on ______ (after flowing through the ______).

Answer 5

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons in the adrenal medulla release (mostly) epinephrine that acts on adrenergic receptors (after flowing through the bloodstream).

Question 6

Actually, there is one exception as to what postganglionic sympathetic neurons release and to what type of receptor. What is this exception?

Answer 6

Postganglionic sympathetic neurons that innervate SWEAT GLANDS! These neurons release acetylcholine onto muscarinic receptors.

Question 7

An alpha-adrenergic blocker would ________ contraction of vascular smooth muscle.

(bonus question: what medication that we have learned about does this and what is its indication?)

Answer 7

DECREASE

Prazosin/terazosin/doxazosin - HTN

Question 8

What receptors (sympathetic and parasympathetic) predominate in the heart?

Answer 8

~sympathetic: beta 1 adrenergic receptors

~parasympathetic: muscarinic 2 cholinergic receptors

Question 9

Adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the body’s vasculature would be most responsive to WHAT neurotransmitter?

Answer 9

These would be a1 receptors, most responsive to neuronally-release norepinephrine.

Question 10

Adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the bronchioles would be most responsive to WHAT neurotransmitter?

Answer 10

These would be b2 receptors, most responsive to adrenal medulla-released epinephrine.

Question 11

To what neurotransmitter do the adrenergic receptors of the pacemakers and cardiomyocytes of the heart respond most strongly?

Answer 11

The adrenergic receptors that are found on the pacemaker cells and cardiomyocytes are b1 receptors, and they respond equally strongly to nerve-released norepinephrine and adrenal medulla-released epinephrine.

Question 12

An alpha-adrenergic blocker would ________ contraction of internal sphincter of the bladder.

Answer 12

decrease

Question 13

What type of sympathetic receptor is found on the detrusor muscle? What action does it cause?

Answer 13

B2 - relaxation

Question 14

What type of sympathetic receptor is found on the internal sphincter of the bladder? What action does it cause?

Answer 14

a1 - constriction

Question 15

What type of parasympathetic receptor is found on the detrusor muscle? What action does it cause?

Answer 15

M1/M3 - contraction

Question 16

What type of parasympathetic receptor is found on the internal sphincter of the bladder? What type of action does it cause?

Answer 16

M2 - relaxation