Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

The lateral gray horns of the thoracic
spinal cord is the location of
A.	Splanchnic nerves
B.	Sympathetic chains
C.	Synapses bewteen preganglionic and
postganglionic neurons
D.	Cell bodies of some sympathetic
preganglionic neurons

Answer 1

D. Cell bodies of some sympathetic

preganglionic neurons

Question 2

In the autonomic nervous system,
A. the lower motor neurons directly innervate effector
organs.
B. there is always a synapse between the CNS and the
effector organ.
C. motor neurons do not synapse but are connected by
gap junctions.
D. the cell bodies of all motor neurons are found in
ganglia outside the CNS.
E. neurons have dendrites but no axons.

Answer 2

B. there is always a synapse between the CNS and

the effector organ

Question 3

In the sympathetic division, preganglionic
fibers are _____ and postganglionic fibers
are _____.

Answer 3

white; gray

Question 4

Stimulation of alpha-2 receptors would
lead to 
A.	Peripheral blood vessel dilation
B.	Peripheral blood vessel constriction
C.	Increased heart rate
D.	Break down of fat by adipose tissues
E.	Sweating

Answer 4

A. Peripheral blood vessel dilation

Question 5

In the sympathetic nervous system, where
do preganglionic fibers originate?
A.	target organs
B.	sacral segments of the spinal cord
C.	brain stem
D.	thoracic and superior segments of the spinal
cord
E.	all of the above

Answer 5

D. thoracic and superior segments of the

spinal cord

Question 6

Which of the following statements concerning
the sympathetic chain is false?
B. Sympathetic ganglia provide postganglionic fibers to
every spinal nerve.
C. Sympathetic ganglia provide postganglionic fibers to
regions of the body serviced by cranial nerves III,
VII, IX, and X.
D. There are six cervical chain ganglia

Answer 6

D. There are six cervical chain ganglia

Question 7

Nicotinic receptors
A. respond to epinephrine.
B. respond to norepinephrine.
C. open sodium channels when stimulated.
D. are found at neuroeffector junctions of the
parasympathetic nervous system.
E. open calcium channels when stimulated.

Answer 7

C. Open sodium channels when stimulated

Question 8

Which of the following statements concerning the
parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous
system is false?
A. preganglionic neurons are located in the brain stem and sacral
region of the spinal cord.
B. Postganglionic neuron cell bodies are located in ganglia within
or adjacent to effectors.
C. Preganglionic fibers are relatively short and postganglionic
fibers are relatively long.
D. The effects of the parasympathetic branch are more specific and
localized than those of the sympathetic branch.
E. The postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine.

Answer 8

C. Preganglionic fibers are relatively short and postganglionic fibers are long

Question 9

Muscarinic receptors
A. are activated by acetylcholine.
B. are located on the surface of ganglion cells in both the
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
C. when stimulated always produce an excitatory
response.
D. control sodium channels in the affected membrane.
E. are activated by norepinephrine.

Answer 9

A. Are activated by acetylcholine

Question 10

Injury to the neurons of a collateral
ganglion would affect the function of the
A.	heart.
B.	pupils.
C.	sweat glands.
D.	digestive tract.
E.	arrector pili muscles.

Answer 10

D. digestive tract.

Question 11

Preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic
nervous system are located in the
A. lateral gray horns of the cervical region of the spinal
cord.
B. anterior gray horns of the cervical and thoracic region
of the spinal cord.
C. lateral gray horns of segments T1 to L2 of the
spinal cord.
D. anterior gray horns of segments T1 to L2 of the spinal
cord.

Answer 11

C. lateral gray horns of segments T1 to L2 of the

spinal cord.

Question 12

Damage to the ventral roots of the first five
thoracic spinal nerves on the right side of the
body would interfere with the ability to
A.	dilate the right pupil.
B.	dilate the left pupil.
C.	contract the right biceps.
D.	contract the left biceps.
E.	smile and frown.

Answer 12

A. dilate the right pupil

Question 13

Second-order neurons of the autonomic
nervous system are located in
A. the brain.
B. the lateral gray horns of the spinal cord.
C. the posterior gray horns of the spinal cord.
D. the anterior gray horns of the spinal cord.
E. autonomic ganglia.

Answer 13

C. the posterior gray horns of the spinal cord.

Question 14

Stimulation of the neurons in the celiac
ganglion would lead to
A.	increased urination.
B.	increased heart rate.
C.	release of glucose from the liver’s glycogen
reserves.
D.	release of sweat from sweat glands on the
upper back.
E.	dilation of abdominal blood vessels.

Answer 14

C. release of glucose from the liver’s glycogen

reserves.

Question 15

Groups of post ganglionic sympathetic
neurons lying along either side of the
spinal cord are called \_\_\_\_\_ ganglia.
A.	intramural
B.	collateral
C.	chain
D.	prevertebral
E.	adrenal

Answer 15

C. chain

Question 16

Sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers
bound for the heart and the lungs pass
through the
A.	celiac plexus.
B.	hypogastric plexus.
C.	cardiac plexus.
D.	sphenopalatine ganglia.
E.	otic ganglia.

Answer 16

C. cardiac plexus.

Question 17

Collateral ganglia contain neurons that
innervate tissues and organs in which
cavity?
A.	thoracic
B.	cephalic
C.	abdominopelvic
D.	both A and B
E.	both B and C

Answer 17

C. abdominopelvic

Question 18

Groups of post-ganglionic neurons that
innervate organs in the abdominopelvic
region are called \_\_\_\_\_ ganglia.
A.	intramural
B.	collateral
C.	chain
D.	paravertebral
E.	adrenal

Answer 18

B. collateral

Question 19

Close examination of an effector organ shows that it
receives innervation by way of two neurons. The first is
located in the cord and synapses with a second in a chain
ganglion. Chemical analysis indicates that the
postsynaptic neuron releases acetylcholine and that the
effector has many cholinergic receptors. The effector is
probably
A. the heart.
B. a peripheral blood vessel.
C. a sweat gland.
D. the liver.
E. the pancreas.

Answer 19

C. a sweat gland.

Question 20

Normal control of the diameter of the
respiratory passages depends upon
A.	sympathetic stimulation only.
B.	parasympathetic stimulation only.
C.	somatomotor stimulation only.
D.	both parasympathetic and sympathetic
levels of stimulation.
E.	sensory receptors sensitive to changes in lung
ventilation.

Answer 20

D. both parasympathetic and sympathetic

levels of stimulation.

Question 21

A certain drug decreases heart rate by producing
hyperpolarization at the membrane of the
pacemaker cells of the heart. This drug probably
binds to \_\_\_\_\_ receptors.
A.	nicotinic
B.	muscarinic
C.	alpha-1 adrenergic
D.	alpha-2 adrenergic
E.	beta

Answer 21

B. muscarinic

Question 22

Autonomic tone is an important aspect of ANS
function because it
A. allows ANS neurons to be absolutely silent under
normal conditions.
B. allows ANS neurons to increase activity on demand
but not decrease their activity.
C. allows ANS neurons to decrease their activity on
demand but not increase their activity.
D. allows ANS neurons to increase or decrease their
activity, providing a range of control options.
E. provides for a narrow range of control options that
keep target tissues constantly active.

Answer 22

D. allows ANS neurons to increase or decrease their

activity, providing a range of control options.

Question 23

Preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous
system that carry motor impulses to targets in
the body wall or thoracic cavity synapse in a(n)
A. intramural ganglion.
B. collateral ganglion.
C. chain ganglion.
D. adrenal ganglion.
E. spinal nerve.

Answer 23

C. chain ganglion.

Question 24

Celiac ganglia innervate which of the
following?
A.	gallbladder
B.	spleen
C.	kidney
D.	bladder
E.	both A and B

Answer 24

E. both A and B

Question 25

``` Nerves that innervate organs in the ventral body cavities are the _____ nerves. A. cervical spinal B. thoracic spinal C. cranial D. autonomic E. somatomotor ```

Answer 25

D. autonomic

Question 26

``` Drugs that stimulate alpha receptors causing constriction of peripheral vessels are A. sympathetic blocking agents. B. sympathomimetic. C. parasympathetic blocking agents. D. parasympathomimetic. E. autonomic blocking agents. ```

Answer 26

B. sympathomimetic.

Question 27

``` The celiac ganglion innervates the A. stomach. B. liver. C. pancreas. D. all of the above E. B and C only ```

Answer 27

D. all of the above

Question 28

``` Drugs that target muscarinic receptors would be A. sympathomimetic. B. parasympathomimetic. C. parasympathetic blocking agents. D. sympathetic blocking agents. E. autonomic blocking agents. ```

Answer 28

B. parasympathomimetic.

Question 29

As the result of an accident, the white rami of spinal nerves T1 and T2 on the left side of Brad’s body are severed. What organ(s) would you expect to be affected by this injury? A. pupils B. tongue C. heart D. all of the above E. A and C only

Answer 29

E. A and C only

Question 30

``` There are _____ sympathetic collateral ganglia located in the abdominal cavity. A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. 6 ```

Answer 30

C. 3

Question 31

``` Mary accidentally ingests a toxin that binds to muscarinic receptors. What symptoms would you expect to observe? A. diarrhea B. decreased salivation C. increased heart rate D. difficulty in breathing E. A and D only ```

Answer 31

E. A and D only

Question 32

``` Ganglionic neurons that innervate tissues and organs in the abdominopelvic cavity are located in the A. sympathetic chain ganglia. B. collateral ganglia. C. paravertebral ganglia. D. lateral ganglia. E. all of the above ```

Answer 32

B. collateral ganglia.

Question 33

``` Almost 75 percent of all parasympathetic outflow travels along the A. splanchnic nerves. B. facial nerve. C. vagus nerve. D. glossopharyngeal nerve. E. collateral nerve. ```

Answer 33

C. vagus nerve.

Question 34

The effect of the neurotransmitter on the target cell depends on the nature of the A. neurotransmitter. B. receptor on the presynaptic membrane. C. receptor on the postsynaptic membrane. D. A, B, and C E. none of the above

Answer 34

C. receptor on the postsynaptic membrane.

Question 35

``` Intramural ganglia in the kidney, urinary bladder, and sex organs receive innervation by way of the _____ nerves. A. spinal B. splanchnic C. chain D. pelvic E. collateral ```

Answer 35

D. pelvic

Question 36

``` The sympathetic ganglia that lie close to large abdominal arteries are the A. Prevertebral ganglia B. Paravertebral ganglia C. Terminal ganglia D. Sympathetic trunk ganglia E. Dorsal root ganglia ```

Answer 36

A. Prevertebral ganglia

Question 37

``` Neurons of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system release the neurotransmitter _____ at their effectors. A. acetylcholine B. epinephrine C. adrenalin D. norepinephrine E. dopamine ```

Answer 37

A. acetylcholine

Question 38

``` Alpha and beta receptors are associated with A. Sympathetic neurons B. Cholinergic neurons C. Muscarinic neurons D. Nicotinic neurons E. All answers are correct ```

Answer 38

A. Sympathetic neurons

Question 39

``` Rest and digest activities are associated with A. Cholinergic neurons B. Adrenergic neurons C. Sympathetic neurons D. Alpha 2 neurons E. Beta 3 neurons ```

Answer 39

A. Cholinergic neurons

Question 40

``` A stroke to the lateral portion of the hypothalamus would impair your ability to A. Increase your heart rate B. Digest your food C. Urinate D. Lower your blood pressure E. Constrict your airways ```

Answer 40

A. Increase your heart rate

Question 41

The drug atropine is given to subjects in cardiac arrest because it A. Is an antagonist for muscarinic receptors B. It activates Beta 1 receptors in the heart C. It activates alpha 2 receptors in the heart D. It is an antagonist for alpha 2 receptors in the heart E. It activates nicotinic receptors

Answer 41

A. Is an antagonist for muscarinic receptors

Question 42

``` Fibers of the ANS traveling with cranial nerve X will stimulate which of the following responses A. Increased breathing rate B. Increased heart rate C. Decreased force of contraction of cardiac muscle D. Dilation of blood vessels in the skeletal muscles of the torso ```

Answer 42

C. Decreased force of contraction of cardiac | muscle