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Autonomics Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

A

Parasympathetic and sympathetic

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2
Q

What portions of the spinal cord supply parasympathetic nerves?

A

Cranial and sacral

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3
Q

What portion of the spinal cord supply sympathetics?

A

Thoracic and lumbar (1st thracic to 2nd or 3rd lumbar)

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4
Q

Which cranial nerves are parasympathetic?

A

3, 7, 9, 10

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5
Q

What do the sacral parasympathetic nerves supply?

A

bladder, rectum, sex organs

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6
Q

Describe the length of presynaptic and postsynaptic parasympathetic neurons.

A

Long presynaptic and short post-synaptic (ganglion is close to the target organ)

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7
Q

Describe the length of pre-synaptic and post-synaptic sympathetic neurons.

A

Short pre-synaptic to paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia

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8
Q

The parasympathetic nervous system is organized __________ with very little ____________.

A

Discretely with very little cross-talk. Response will typically be one-to-one

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9
Q

What is the transmitter at the parasympathetic ganglion?

A

Ach

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10
Q

What is the transmitter at parasympathetic neuroeffector junctions?

A

Ach

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11
Q

We can think of parasympathetic as largely ____________ while the sympathetic system is ____________________________.

A 
Parasympathetic = cholinergic
Sympathetic = adrenergic
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12
Q

Where do sympathetic axons emerge and where do they synapse?

A

The emerge from anterior roots and synapse in paravertebral or prevertebral ganglia

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13
Q

Where is the paravertebral ganglion?

Where is prevertebral?

A

Para- chains beside the vertebral column

Pre- in the abdomen and pelvis (celiac, superior mesenteric, etc)

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14
Q

What system (parasympathetic or sympathetic) controls the adrenal medulla? What nerve specifically?

A

Sympathetic- greater splanchnic nerve where it makes NE which can be converted to epi.

80% epi, 20% NE

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15
Q

Proximity of sympathetic ganglia to the spinal cord permits ________ and a ________ organization of the system.
This allows a _____________ response as opposed to the ________ response of parasympathetics.

A

Proximity permits branching and a diffuse organization of the systems.
This allows a generalized response as opposed to the specific response of parasympathetics

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16
Q

What is the transmitter at sympathetic ganglion?

Neuroeffector junction>

A

Ach at the ganglion and NE at the neuroeffector junction most of the time but for sweat glands- Ach

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17
Q

Pharmacological effects can have direct actions and indirect actions via change in reflex. Using an alpha1 sympathetic blocker, describe the direct and indirect effects.

A

a1 blocker would DIRECTLY cause vasodilation–> reduced PVR–> reduced BP
INDIRECTLY- the lower BP would trigger the vagal reflex to increase sympathetic tone (HR, contractility) .

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18
Q

What is the only source for naturally produced epinephrine?

A

Adrenal medulla

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19
Q

Describe the pre and post-ganglionic neurons of the somatic nervous system.

A

The somatic nervous system acts on muscles DIRECTLY via long myelinated cranial and spinal nerves.
There are no pre or post ganglionic neurons because there are no ganglions outside the CNS

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20
Q

What neurotransmitter is at the neuromuscular junction of somatic neurons?

A

Ach

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21
Q

The vagal reflex is (parasympathetic/sympathetic) and is a ________ and __________ receptor to provide information about what three things?

A

Vagus is parasympathetic and is a mechano and chemoreceptor.
It gives info on BP, CO2 and gut distension

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22
Q

What is an example of sympathetic reflex?

A

The dorsal horn provides info about temperature, tissue injury, pain

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23
Q

Acetylcholine is synthesized from ______ and ______ by _____________.

A

choline and acetyl CoA by choline acetyltransferase (CAT)

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24
Q

Where is acetylcholine synthesized?

A

In the cytoplasm of the presynaptic terminal and then is stored in vesicles

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25
What initiates the release of Ach from storage vesicles?
Depolarization of the nerve terminal which causes an influx of calcium through voltage-gated channels.
26
After Ach is released into the synaptic terminal, how is it removed?
acetylcholinesterase enzyme at the cholinergic synapses
27
What cholinesterase degrades Ach in the plasma and liver?
Plasma- butyrocholinesterase | Liver- pseudocholinesterase
28
How long does it take to hydrolyze Ach at the neuromuscular junction?
less than a millisecond
29
What toxin blocks the exocytosis of Ach? What does this cause?
Botulinum toxin blocks Ach exocytosis causing flaccid paralysis?
30
What does botulinum toxin A do?
It blocks the release of Ach from the presynaptic terminal causing flaccid paralysis
31
What does alpha-latrotoxin do? | Where does it come from?
Causes massive release of Ach vesicles from the presynaptic terminal. It comes from a black widow spider
32
What would you expect from a specific inhibitor of pseudocholinesterase?
1. No effect on neuroeffector junctions because plasma Ach has no effect 2. Longer half life for exogenously given choline esters (succinyl choline muscle relaxer)
33
What drug blocks the nicotinic effects of Ach?
Curare
34
What drug blocks the muscarinic effects of Ach?
Atropine
35
What does curare do?
blocks the effects of nicotinic receptors
36
What does atropine do?
blocks muscarinic receptors
37
Where are nicotinic receptors found?
1. skeletal muscles 2. neurons (autonomic ganglia) 3. chromaffin cells in adrenal medulla
38
What type of receptor is a nicotinic receptor?
Ligand-gated ion channel with 5 subunits (2 of which are alpha)
39
What is required to open a nicotinic receptor? | What happens when the channel opens?
The binding of 2 Ach molecules will open the channel causing increased permeability of Na and Ca depolarizing and exciting the muscle (contraction), neuron (firing) or chromaffin cell (secretion of NE)
40
What determines the isoform of the nicotinic receptor? | What are two important isoforms to be aware of?
The subunits determine the isoforms Ng is a ganglionic nicotinic receptor Nm is a muscular nicotinic receptor
41
What type of receptor is a muscarinic cholinergic receptor? | What are the different types of M receptor?
G-protein coupled receptors M1,3,5 are Gq so they increase Ca M2,4 are Gi/o so they decrease Ca and increase K
42
What type of G protein do M135 act through? | M24?
135- Gq activating PLC, IP3 DAG and increasing Ca 24- Gi/o activate K channels and inactivate Ca
43
What type of muscarinic receptor is present on the heart? What would be the effect of activation?
M2 would increase K hyperpolarizing the heart. This would decrease HR and contractility
44
Where can muscarinic receptors be found?
1. Heart (M2) 2. Smooth muscle 3. Autonomic ganglia (but nicotinic overrides) 4. glands
45
What is the function of an M2 autoreceptor at the pre-synaptic terminal?
Ach that is released will bind to the M2 receptor which will increase K and decrease Ca effectively dampening further release of Ach
46
What neurotransmitter do peripheral sympathetic neurons synthesize? What does the adrenal medulla synthesize? What compound are they synthesized from?
Peripheral sympathetic- NE Adrenal- epi and NE NE and epi come from tyrosine
47
What is the rate limiting step in adrenergic transmitter synthesis?
Tyrosine to L-DOPA catalyzed by tyrosine hydroxylase
48
What are the five steps of NE/epi synthesis?
1. Tyrosine 2. DOPA 3. Dopamine 4. NE 5. epi
49
What enzyme converts DOPA to dopamine? | Where does this step occur?
DOPA decarboxylase in the cytosol
50
What enzyme converts dopamine to NE? Where does this step occur?
Dopamine is transported into a vesicle where dopamine B-hydroxylase converts it to NE
51
Where is NE converted to epinephrine? What enzyme catalyzes this?
In the adrenal medulla, PNMT converts NE to epi | phenyl ethanolamine N-methyltransferase
52
What are the adrenergic vesicle contents?
1. NE 2. DBH (enzyme for dopamine-->NE) 3. chromagranins 4. ATP
53
How is NE inactivated?
1. Mostly reuptake into the presynaptic terminal by a specific transporter 2. some NE can diffuse from site of action
54
What two enzymes are able to inactivate catecholamines?
MAO- monoamine oxidase | COMT- catechol-O-methyl transferase
55
Inhibition of MAO and COMT does what for the acute action of NE released by nerve stimulation?
Nothing really- the enzymes do no prolong action of NE even though they are technically able to inactivate the enzymes
56
Where is MAO found?
it is a mitochondrial enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines in the nerve terminal
57
Where is COMT found?
It is found circulating and is widely distributed. It is important for metabolizing circulating catecholamines like epi
58
MAO inhibitors would increase levels of what catecholamine? | What is this used to treat?
Increases dopamine which can help treat parkinson's migrane prophylaxis and decrease anxiety
59
What metabolite is formed by the actions of MAO and COMT? | Why is this important?
VMA (vanillylmandelic acid). It is important because it can be measured in urine to diagnose pheochromocytoma.
60
What is pheochromocytoma?
Adrenal gland tumor that has excessive secretion of catecholamines like NE and epi
61
Why are MAOI and COMT different in size of effect from an Achesterase inhibitor?
Achesterase inhibitors prolong Ach in the synaptic cleft because that is the main way Ach is removed. MAO and COMT have minimal response because MOST NE leaves the cleft via reuptake. A NE reuptake inhibitor would have a larger effect than MAOI or COMTI
62
All adrenergic receptors are what type? What four are we concerned with?
``` They are all GPCR a1 is Gq (increases Ca) a2 is Gi/o (increases K, decreases Ca) b1 is Gs (increases AC/cAMP) b2 is Gs (increases AC/cAMP) ```
63
Where are a1 receptors located? | When activated, what do they cause?
Vasculature- contract Glands- secrete Liver- glycogenolysis Smooth muscle- contract
64
Where are a2 receptors located? | What do they cause when activated?
``` Neuronal synapses (presynaptic)- inhibition (feedback from NE) Pancreatic islets- inhibition of secretion ```
65
Where are b1 receptors found? | What do they cause when activated?
Heart- ionotropic/chronotropic increase
66
Where are b2 receptors found? | What do they cause when activated?
Smooth muscle- relax Liver- glycogenolysis Skeletal muscle- relax
67
Where are b3 receptors found? | What do they cause when activated?
Adipose- lipolysis
68
Epinephrine is an agonist at which receptors?
a1,a2,b1,b2
69
Norepinephrine is an agonist at which receptors?
a1,a2,b1 | it is a poor b2 agonist!
70
What drug inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase? What is the result?
Metyrosine- no DOPA is made which is the rate-limiting step in NE synthesis Usually used to treat hypertension (decreasing a1,b1)
71
What does reserpine do?
Inhibits VMAT (which is how dopamine gets in the vesicle to make NE)
72
What does guanethidine bretylium do?
inhibits NE vesicle release
73
What is the action of cocaine and tricyclic antidepressents?
They block the reuptake of NE affecting the duration of the signal. 1. prolonged excitation 2. Desensitization
74
What is the function of tyramine and amphetamine?
They increase vesicular release of NE
75
What are the tell-tale signs of fight or flight?
Sympathetic response characterized by: 1. dilated pupils 2. increased HR/contractility 3. decreased bowel movement 4. dilated bronchioles
76
You want to dilate a patients pupils for exam. What type of drug should you use?
A1 agonist, but more commonly a muscarinic antagonist
77
What would be the ideal drug for relieving bronchoconstriction?
B2 specific agonist (don't want B1 to be involved bc it will increase HR and contractility)
78
What is a major side effect of using an a1 blocker to treat hypertension/ high PVR?
The vessels will dilate, decrease BP, then reflex will increase HR to compensate --> tachycardia
79
What adrenergic receptor is on the ciliary muscle of the eye? What does this do when stimulated?
It is b2 which when stimulated relaxes to allow to see far away
80
What are the two muscles that control the iris? Which is adrenergic and which is cholinergic? What are the results?
Radial muscle- a1- contractions (mydriasis-dilation of pupil) Sphincter muscle- M2,M3- contraction (miosis-constriction of the pupil)
81
What are the adrenergic receptors on the heart? | What are the cholinergic receptors on the heart?
Adrenergic - B1>>B2 (contract, increase HR increase conduction) Cholinergic- M2>>M3 (decrease HR, Contractility, conduction)
82
What areas of vasculature have a1 AND b2 receptors? | What is the overall result?
``` Coronary Skeletal Pulmonary Abdominal Renal Veins ``` Constriction slightly more than dilation
83
What artery has cholinergic receptors? | What is the result?
Salivary glands have M3-> dilation
84
What adrenergic receptors are on tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle? What is the result? What are the cholinergics? Result?
b2- relaxation | M2=M3 -> contraction
85
What adrenergics and cholinergics are on bronchial glands?
a1- decreased secretion b2- increased secretion M3,2- stimulation
86
What adrenergics control motility, sphincters and secretion of the stomach. What are the results?
Motility- all four--> decrease Sphincters- a1--> contract Secretion-a1--> inhibit
87
What adrenergics control renal secretion? | What is the result?
a1- decrease | b1- increase
88
What adrenergic act on the bladder?
B2- relax detruser | a1- contract sphincter
89
What adrenergic contracts a pregnant uterus? | What relaxes it?
a1- contracts | B2 relaxes

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