Unit 2, Chapter 5 Flashcards
What is acetylcholine (ACH)?
A neurotransmitter of parasympathetic (cholinergic) nerves; stimulates the cholinergic receptor.
What does adrenergic refer to?
Nerves that release norepinephrine.
What is an adrenergic receptor?
A receptor located on internal organs that responds to norepinephrine and epinephrine.
What is an afferent nerve?
Transmits sensory information from peripheral organs to the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).
What is an autonomic ganglion?
The collection of synapses between the pre- and post-ganglionic nerve fibers.
What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?
A system of nerves that innervate smooth and cardiac muscle (involuntary) of the internal organs and glands.
What does cholinergic refer to?
Nerves that release acetylcholine.
What is a cholinergic (muscarinic) receptor?
A receptor located on internal organs and glands that responds to acetylcholine.
What is an efferent nerve?
Carries the appropriate motor response from the brain and spinal cord to the peripheral organs.
What is epinephrine (EPI)?
A hormone from the adrenal medulla that stimulates adrenergic receptors, especially during stress.
What is the fight or flight reaction?
The body’s response to intense stress; caused by activation of the sympathetic division of the ANS.
What is homeostasis?
The normal state of balance among the body’s internal organs.
What is a muscarinic receptor?
A cholinergic receptor located on cell walls of internal organs and glands.
What is a neurotransmitter?
A substance that stimulates internal organs to produce characteristic changes associated with sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
What is a nicotinic receptor?
A cholinergic receptor located on autonomic ganglia (Nn) and skeletal muscle (Nm).
What is norepinephrine (NE)?
A neurotransmitter of sympathetic (adrenergic) nerves that stimulates the adrenergic receptors.
What does parasympathetic refer to?
Nerves of the ANS that originate in the brain and sacral portion of the spinal cord; active when the body is at rest or trying to restore energy and function.
What is a postganglionic nerve fiber?
An autonomic nerve fiber that travels from the autonomic ganglia to the internal organs and glands.
What is a preganglionic nerve fiber?
An autonomic nerve fiber that emerges from the cranial nerves and spinal cord and travels to the autonomic ganglia where it synapses with the postganglionic nerve fibers.
What does sympathetic refer to?
Nerves of the ANS that originate from the thoracolumbar portion of the spinal cord; active when the body is under stress or exerting energy.
