Unit 4: Nervous System

Question 1

Nervous system: two subsystems

Answer 1

-Central nervous
-peripheral nervous

Question 2

Peripheral nervous: function and subsystems

Answer 2

Links body to outside world
-Autonomic (involuntary functions)
-somatic (sensory info to brain and signals to muscles)

Question 3

Autonomic system: 2 subsystems

Answer 3

-sympathetic (fight or flight)
-parasympathetic (rest and digest)

Question 4

Parasympathetic neurotransmitter/receptor

Answer 4

Acetylcholine

Receptors:
-nicotinic
-muscarinic

Question 5

Sympathetic neurotransmitter/ receptor

Answer 5

Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

Receptors:
-alpha
-beta

Question 6

Path of nerve impulse across synapse

Answer 6

-axon
-synaptic cleft
-dendrite

Question 7

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Answer 7

-enzyme in synapse
-breaks down acetylcholine

Question 8

Cholinergic (parasympathetic) drugs function

Answer 8

Agonist- drugs that MIMIC acetylcholine
Antagonist-drugs that BLOCK acetylcholine
Anticholinesterase-blocks the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine so there’s more acetylcholine to bind to receptors

Question 9

Adrenergic (sympathetic) drugs function

Answer 9

-Alpha/beta agonists: bind to MIMIC epinephrine or norepinephrine
-alpha/beta antagonists: bind to BLOCK those

Question 10

Locations of nicotinic. Receptors

Answer 10

-adrenal medulla
-neuromuscular junctions
-autonomic ganglia

Question 11

Parasympathetic system effects on body (there are a lot you don’t have to know them all)

Answer 11

-(rest and digest)
-constrict pupils
-Increase saliva
-reduce heart rate
-constrict bronchia
-stimulate digestion
-stimulate pancreas
-stimulate gallbladder
-Constricts bladder
-stimulates general arousal

Question 12

Sympathetic system effects on body

Answer 12

-(fight or flight)
-Dilates pupils
-Inhibits saliva
-Dilates bronchia
-Raises heart rate
-Inhibits digestive function
-Inhibits gallbladder
-Stimulates adrenaline
-Relaxes bladder
-stimulates orgasm

Question 13

Beta-1 receptors location and function

Answer 13

-In heart
-increased force of contraction

Question 14

Beta-2 receptors location and function

Answer 14

-Smooth muscle
-cause dilation in the lungs

Question 15

Cholinergic agonist drug class

Answer 15

Parasympathomimetic or cholinergic agonist

Question 16

Cholinergic agonist mechanism of action

Answer 16

-Binds to muscarinic and nicotinic receptors

Question 17

Example of cholinergic agonist

Answer 17

Pilocarpine (older class of glaucoma drug)

Question 18

Receptors that are generally excitatory for the sympathetic system

Answer 18

Alpha receptors with the exception of the gastrointestinal tract

Question 19

Receptors that are generally inhibitory for the sympathetic system

Answer 19

Beta receptors with the exception of the heart

Question 20

Anticholinesterase mechanism of action

Answer 20

-Drugs that inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase
-Act indirectly by allowing more acetylcholine to accumulate in the synapse and produce its effects


Question 21

Anticholinesterase examples and purpose

Answer 21

-echothiopate iodide
-Miotics that make the pupils constrict improving the outflow of aqueous humour and reducing intraocular pressure

Question 22

Anticholinergic mechanism of action

Answer 22

Drugs block the muscarinic receptors and inhibit the binding of acetylcholine to the receptors

Question 23

Anticholinergic examples and purpose

Answer 23

-homatropine
-cyclopentolate
-They dilate the pupil and stop accommodation from happening

Question 24

Sympathomimetic beta agonist mechanism of action

Answer 24

Direct action by binding to beta-2 receptors

Question 25

Sympathomimetic Alpha adrenergic agonist Mechanism of action

Answer 25

-Mimics the action of norepinephrine and Epinephrine by binding to alpha-1 or alpha-2 receptors 

Question 26

Sympathomimetic beta agonist examples and purpose

Answer 26

-Dipevefrin -Lowers intraocular pressure. A prodrug that converts to Epinephrine

Question 27

Sympathomimetic alpha adrenergic agonist examples and purpose

Answer 27

-phenylephrine: mydriasis And vasoconstriction -brimonidine: Lower intraocular pressure

Question 28

Beta blocker mechanism of action

Answer 28

-Directly binds to beta receptors -Maybe nonselective or selective in which beta receptor they bind -Binding to beta receptors may block the action of epinephrine and result in bradycardia or bronchospasm

Question 29

Beta blocker examples and purpose

Answer 29

-timolol and levobunol hydrochloride (Non-selectively bind to beta-1 and beta-2 receptors) -betaxolol hydrochloride (Selectively binds to beta-1 receptors)

Question 30

Alpha blocker mechanism of action

Answer 30

-Blocks the alpha adrenergic receptors in the dilator muscle of the iris