Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

Describe the pre-ganglionic neurons in autonomic nervous system.

Answer 1

-Cell body in the brain stem or lateral horn of the spinal cord
-Axon (myelinated) exits the CNS as part of cranial nerve or anterior root of a spinal nerve and carries signals to peripheral ganglion

Question 2

Describe the post-ganglionic neurons in autonomic nervous system.

Answer 2

C-ell body in a peripheral ganglion
-Axon (unmyelinated) carries signals to an effector

Question 3

What types of neurons are a part of the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 3

Pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic

Question 4

What are the sympathetic nervous system affects on organs (skin, skeletal muscle, eyes, heart, lungs, digestive system, liver, adipose tissue, urinary system and reproductive system)?

Answer 4

Skin - Increased sweat production and contraction of arrector pili muscle

Skeletal Muscle- Vasodilation

Eyes - Pupil dilation and distant vision

Heart - Increased heart rate + force of contraction and increased blood pressure

Lungs- Airway dilation

Digestive System -Decreased motility + gland secretion and sphincter contraction

Liver - Glycogen breakdown + release of glucose

Adipose Tissue -Breakdown of fats + release of fatty acids

Urinary System - Bladder relaxation + sphincter contraction and vasoconstriction (decreased urine)

Reproductive System - Ejaculation

Question 5

What are the parasympathetic nervous system affects on organs (skin, skeletal muscle, eyes, heart, lungs, digestive system, liver, adipose tissue, urinary system and reproductive system)?

Answer 5

Skin - None

Skeletal Muscle - None

Eyes - Pupil constriction and near Vision

Heart - Decreased heart rate and force of contraction and decreased blood pressure

Lungs - Airway constriction

Digestive System - Increased motility + gland secretion and sphincter relaxation

Liver - Glycogen synthesis

Adipose tissue - None

Urinary System -Bladder contraction and sphincter relaxation

Reproductive System - Erection