Para And Sympathetic NS

Question 1

Autonomic pharmacology

Answer 1

Discussion of how specific neurotransmitters transmit nerve impulses and how certain drugs can affect the functions of those neurotransmitters
- better predict effects on organs

Question 2

Components of central nervous system (CNS)

Answer 2

Brain and spinal cord

Question 3

Components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Answer 3

Part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and controls the body’s automatic or involuntary functions
- includes sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS

Question 4

Neurotrasmission

Answer 4

The process of chemical signalling between cells:

• synthesis of chemical signals
• signals stored in nerve terminal
• signals released from the nerve ending
• signals bound to a receptor

Question 5

Where does the parasympathetic nervous system originate?

Answer 5

In the craniosacral region (cranial and sacral regions)

- stimulates “rest and digest” during non-stressful situations

Question 6

What neurotransmitter initiates parasympathetic response?

Answer 6

Acetylcholine

- enables vagal nerve (cranial nerve x) stimulation, the primary parasympathetic nerve

Question 7

What does the vagus nerve do?

Answer 7

Innervates (supplies with nerves) most of the body

Decreases the rate (chronotropic) and contractility (inotropic) of the heart

Question 8

Where does the sympathetic nervous system originate?

Answer 8

In the thoracolumbar region (thorax and lumbar regions)
Connected to the CNS through the spinal cord
Stimulates “fight or flight”

Question 9

What are the main neurotransmitters involved in the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 9

Epinephrine, norepinephrine

Question 10

Symptoms of sympathetic nervous system stimulation

Answer 10

Dry mouth
Tachycardia
Increased myocardial contractility
Hypertension
Dilated pupils
Shunting blood to vital organs
Bronchodilation
Sweat gland secretion
Conversion of glycogen to glucose

Question 11

What are neurotransmission altering drugs? What do they do?

Answer 11

Drugs that mimic or inhibit neurotransmission

• inhibit the release of neurotransmitters
• block receptor sites

Question 12

Cholinergic

Answer 12

Neutrons and effector organs in the parasympathetic nervous system activated by acetylcholine

• anticholinergic drugs block PNS influence
• cholinergic drugs mimic PNS influence

Question 13

Adrenergic

Answer 13

Neutrons and effector organs in the sympathetic nervous system that are activated by norepinephrine and epinephrine

• adrenergic drugs cause adrenaline effects
• antiadrenergic drugs block adrenaline effects
• epi has profound effects on cardiovascular/respiratory systems
• epi is alpha and beta AGONIST medication

Question 14

Alpha-adrenergic receptors

Answer 14

Alpha 1 - stimulation causes artery and venous constriction

Alpha 2 - stimulation blocks norepinephrine release

Question 15

Beta-adrenergic receptors

Answer 15

Beta 1 - stimulation causes increased force and contractility of heart

Beta 2 - stimulation causes bronchodilation in lungs

Beta blocking drugs commonly used to relax heart force and contractility
Drugs influencing sympathetic nervous system cause the heart workload to increase

Question 16

Agonist

Answer 16

Drug that binds to a receptor and causes it to initiate the expected response (“on” button)
- agonist may cause certain cells to become more/less permeable to certain ions or substances (eg., increasing HR, force of contraction)

Question 17

Antagonist

Answer 17

Drug binds to a site but does not cause the expected response (key that fits into the lock but cannot open it)
- blocks another medication from triggering the same receptor (“off” button)

Question 18

Agonist-antagonist

Answer 18

May initiate and block a response

- causes the desired effect but blocks another medication from triggering the same receptor