Pharm 1 - Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

Which limb of the autonomic nervous system has more effect on the liver?

Answer 1

Sympathetic - causes gluconeogeneis and glycogenolysis - needed for fight or flight response

Question 2

Which limb of the autonomic nervous system dominated the lungs and eyes at rest?

Answer 2

Parasympathetic

• lungs = partial bronchoconstriction
• eyes - allows for near vision

Question 3

Describe the relationship between baroreceptor firing and parasympathetic discharge.

Answer 3

Baroreceptors are stimulatory to the parasympathetic nerves

increased baroreceptor firing = increase in para firing

Question 4

Describe the differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.

Answer 4

sympathetic - coordinated and divergent

parasympathetic - discrete and localised

Question 5

What type of receptors are nicotinic receptors?

Answer 5

Type 1 ionotropic receptors

Question 6

What types of receptors are muscarinic receptors?

Answer 6

Type 2 G protein coupled

Question 7

Where are nicotinic receptors found?

Answer 7

all autonomic ganglia

transfer information from preganglion to postganglion

Question 8

Where are muscarinic receptors found?

Answer 8

in any tissue innervated by post ganglion parasympathetic fibres

Question 9

What is the difference in speed of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors?

Answer 9

Nicotinic much faster

Question 10

What effect does parasympathetic dominance at rest have on the lungs, gut, bladder, and eyes?

Answer 10

lungs - partial bronchoconstriction
gut - increased gut motility
bladder - increased frequency
eye - short sightedness

Question 11

Why would giving a ganglion blocker at rest cause constipation?

Answer 11

at rest, parasympathetic is dominant which increases gut motility so blocking this will cause constipation

Question 12

What are the three types of muscarinic receptors and where are they found?

Answer 12

M1 - neural tissue
M2 - heart
M3 - exocrine and smooth muscle

Question 13

Which adrenergic receptors are responsible for the sympathetic control of vasculature?

Answer 13

Alpha 1 - constriction

beta 2 - dilation

Question 14

What type of receptor are all adrenergic receptors?

Answer 14

G-protein coupled

Found at receptors at the end of sympathetic nervous system

Question 15

Describe the synthesis of acetylcholine.

Answer 15

formed from acetyl CoA and choline but choline acetyltransferase

Question 16

What is acetylcholine broken down by in the synaptic cleft?

Answer 16

acetyl cholinesterase

Question 17

Describe the synthesis of noradrenaline.

Answer 17

Tyrosine = DOPA
DOPA = dopamine via DOPA decarboxylase
Dopamine = Noradrenaline via dopamine hydroxylase

Question 18

What are the two uptake and breakdown mechanisms of noradrenaline?

Answer 18

MAO - neuronal tissue - monoamine oxidase breakdown

COMT - extraneuronal tissue