Autonomic Physiology 1

Question 1

What structures does the autonomic system control in the body?

Answer 1

• Smooth muscle in blood vessels
• Smooth muscle in bladder
• Gut
• Sex organs
• Secretions
• Focussing of the eye

Question 2

Do sensory nerves differ between the somatic and autonomic nervous system?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

How do efferent nerves differ from the somatic system?

Answer 3

They don’t have a single axon body to the target but have a synapse between it (at a ganglion)

Question 4

How does the pre ganglionic fibre differ from the post?

Answer 4

It is myelinated whereas the post ganglionic fibre is unmyelinated.

Question 5

What are the 3 subgroups of the ANS?

Answer 5

• Sympathetic
• Parasympathetic
• Enteric

Question 6

What is the synapse between a nerve and a muscle called?

Answer 6

Neuromuscular junction

Question 7

What ion channels are present at the NMJ?

Answer 7

Ionotropic

Question 8

What response is ALWAYS generated by a NMJ?

Answer 8

Excitatory

Question 9

What receptors exist at the synapse between autonomic and the target?

Answer 9

Metabotropic (g protein coupled)

Question 10

What responses can be produced by a synapse between the autonomic system and its target?

Answer 10

Excitatory or inhibitory

Question 11

What name is given to the nerves involved in the parasympathetic system?

Answer 11

Cranialsacral

Question 12

What is the “main” nerve involved in the parasympathetic system?

Answer 12

Vagus nerve

Question 13

What structures does the vagus nerve control?

Answer 13

• Heart
• Lungs
• Stomach
• Intestines

Question 14

What structures do the parasympathetic sacral nerves control?

Answer 14

• Lower colon
• Sex organs
• Bladder

Question 15

Which ganglionic fibre is longer in the parasympathetic system?

Answer 15

Pre ganglionic is longer than post

Question 16

Where can the ganglion sometimes be found in the PNS?

Answer 16

In the target

Question 17

What neurotransmitter do the pre ganglionic fibres in both the sympathetic and the parasympathetic release?

Answer 17

Acetylcholine

Question 18

What receptors does this ACh act on?

Answer 18

Nicotinic

Question 19

What neurotransmitter do the post ganglionic fibres release in the PNS?

Answer 19

Acetylcholine

Question 20

What receptors does this post ganglionic ACh act on?

Answer 20

Muscarinic

Question 21

Whats the name given to the nerves involved in the sympathetic system?

Answer 21

Thoracolumbar

Question 22

What is the difference between length of pre and post ganglionic fibre

Answer 22

Pre ganglionic short post ganglionic long

Question 23

What is the name given to ganglia right beside the vertebrae?

Answer 23

Paravertebral Ganglia

Question 24

What’s special about the celiac and mesenteric nerves?

Answer 24

They synapse further away from the spinal cord.

Question 25

What is the white ramus?

Answer 25

Pre ganglionic fibre (myelinated)

Question 26

What is the grey ramus?

Answer 26

Post ganglionic fibre (unmyelinated)

Question 27

What neurotransmitter do post ganglionic synapses of the sympathetic system release?

Answer 27

Noradrenaline

Question 28

What receptors does noradrenaline work on?

Answer 28

Adrenergic - alpha and beta

Question 29

What is another role of noradrenaline and adrenaline in the sympathetic response?

Answer 29

Secreted as a hormone by the pancreas which still acts on alpha and beta receptors.