Autonomic Nervous System - Wilcox

Question 1

What is the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic as far as location?

Answer 1

Sympathetic is more thoracic and abdominal

Parasympathetic is more caudal and cranial

Question 2

Describe Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

Answer 2

Sympathetic- “fight or flight”

Parasympathetic- “rest and digest”

Question 3

Describe a Preganglionic sympathetic nerve

Answer 3

Short, myelinated, with lots of branches

Question 4

Describe a Ganglionic sympathetic nerve

Answer 4

Long, unmyelinated, few branches

Question 5

There are three different types of Ganglionic sympathetic nerves: name them

Answer 5

Sympathetic Chain ganglion- thoracic cavity
Collateral ganglion- abdominal cavity
Adrenal medullae- directly innervates adrenal glands

Question 6

Describe a Preganglionic parasympathetic nerve

Answer 6

Long, myelinated, with few branches

Question 7

Describe a Ganglionic parasympathetic nerve

Answer 7

Short, unmyelinated, with few branches

Question 8

What are the four main cranial nerves that leave as preganglionic parasympathetic nerves?

Answer 8

3- oculomotor
7- facial
9- glossalpharyngeal
10- vagus

Question 9

Regarding chemical receptors, what does parasympathetic, sympathetic, and somatic motor neurons all have in common?

Answer 9

All have nicotinic receptors

Question 10

What is common with all autonomic neurotransmitters?

Answer 10

Always release acetylcholine with a nicotinic receptor

Question 11

Describe the difference between alpha and beta receptors in the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 11

Alpha- smooth muscle contrations and sometimes relaxation
Beta- relaxation and increase in heart rate

Both act usually with a coupled G protein

Question 12

Are sympathetic or parasympathetic ever fully shut off? Why would this be important? And what needs to be maintained?

Answer 12

No; never fully shut off so that can respond quicker when the time comes to stimulate. Tone needs to be maintained