Autonomic nervous system

Question 1

What are the differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?

Answer 1

• Parasympathetic  
- Craniosacral
- Synapses away from spinal cord
- First synapse
	○ Transmitter: acetylcholine
	○ Receptor: nicotinic 
- Second synapse 
	○ Transmitter: acetylcholine
	○ Receptor: muscarinic
• Sympathetic 
- Thoracolumbar
- Synapses close to spinal cord or releases receptors into the blood
- First synapse
	○ Transmitter: acetylcholine
	○ Receptor: Nicotinic 
- Second synapse
	○ Transmitter: Noradrenalin 
	○ Receptor: α or β receptor
- Released into blood: adrenalin and/or noradrenalin

Question 2

What is the role of the autonomic nervous system in controlling blood pressure?

Answer 2

• The autonomic nervous system causes syncope as adrenalin/ noradrenalin in the blood work on beta 2 receptors which causes vasodilation
• Vasodilation can make you feel dizzy due to the decrease in blood pressure