Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?
Control smooth and cardiac muscle, glands and adipose tissue
What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic and paraysmpathetic
What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible for?
Fight or flight
What is the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for?
Rest and digest
What type of reflex are autonomic reflexes?
All autonomic
Do all autonomic reflexes require the brain?
No some are spinal
What does it mean by antagonistic effects?
Opposing effects
How do sympathetic and parasympathetic branches work together?
They have antagonistic effects to maintain homeostasis
What are the two neurons in the autonomic pathway?
Pre-ganglionic neuron
Post-ganglionic neuron
What is the difference between site of origin in the CNS for sympathetic and parasympathetic?
Sympathetic - thoracic and lumbar regions
Parasympathetic - sacral and brainstem
What is the difference between site of autonomic ganglia for sympathetic and parasympathetic?
Sympathetic - close to spinal cord
Parasympathetic - close to target organs
What are the neurotransmissions within the ganglion?
Always ACh binds nicotinic ACh receptors
What are the neurtotransmission at the target tissue?
Sympathetic - Noradrenaline binds adrenergic receptors
Parasympathetic - ACh binds muscarinic ACh receptors
What are varicosities?
Swollen areas in the post ganglionic axons that are filled with neurotransmitter
How does neurotransmitter diffuse in neuroeffector junctions?
Through interstitial fluid so it affects larger areas
