Autonomic pharmacology I

• What is the primary function of the motor component of the ANS?

  Conducts signals to the entire body
• How does the ANS help maintain homeostasis?

  Through complementary actions of its divisions
• What are some essential physiological functions regulated by the ANS?

  Heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate
• What types of muscle contractions does the ANS regulate?

  Vascular and visceral smooth muscles
• What does the ANS regulate in the heart?

  Regulates its rate and force
• What is the effect of the sympathetic division on the heart?

  Increases heart rate and contraction force

  
• What neurotransmitter is released by pre-ganglionic sympathetic fibers?

  Acetylcholine (ACh)

  
• What type of receptors does ACh act upon in the sympathetic division?

  Nicotinic cholinoceptors
• What is the primary neurotransmitter released by post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers?

  Noradrenaline (NA)

  
• What are the two types of ganglia in the ANS?

  Paravertebral and pre-vertebral ganglia
• What is the function of post-ganglionic fibers in the ANS?

  Relay signals to effector cells

  
• How does the sympathetic division affect blood vessels?

  Constricts vasculature in most locations
• What is the effect of parasympathetic stimulation on the heart?

  Decreases heart rate and contraction force

  
• What is the role of the parasympathetic division in digestion?

  Increases intestinal motility and secretions
• What neurotransmitter is released by post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibers?

  Acetylcholine (ACh)
• What is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the lungs?

  Relaxes bronchi and decreases mucus production

  
• What is the effect of parasympathetic stimulation on the lungs?

  Constricts bronchi and stimulates mucus production

  
• What is the role of neuroeffector junctions in the ANS?

  Induce chemical transmission at effector cells
• What is the significance of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) transmission?

  Involves transmitters other than ACh or NA
• What are the classical neurotransmitters in the sympathetic division?

  ACh and noradrenaline (NA)

  
• What is the role of adrenoceptors in the ANS?

  Activate cellular responses via NA and adrenaline
• What are the two main types of cholinoceptors?

  Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors
• What is the physiological action of muscarinic receptors?

  G-protein couple receptors that induce physiological responses
• What is the effect of ATP in the sympathetic division?

  Produces fast contraction of smooth muscle
• What is the role of nitric oxide in the parasympathetic division?

  Produces rapid relaxation of smooth muscle
• What are the key differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Pre-ganglionic: Short, cholinergic (ACh)
  • Post-ganglionic: Long, adrenergic (NA)
  • Functions: Fight or flight response
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Pre-ganglionic: Long, cholinergic (ACh)
  • Post-ganglionic: Short, cholinergic (ACh)
  • Functions: Rest and digest response

  
• What are the steps of neurochemical transmission in the sympathetic division?

  1. Action potential triggers Ca++ release
  2. Ca++ causes ACh release by exocytosis
  3. ACh binds to nicotinic receptors
  4. Noradrenaline released from post-ganglionic neuron
  5. Noradrenaline activates adrenoreceptors in effector cells

  
• What are the steps of neurochemical transmission in the parasympathetic division?

  1. Action potential triggers Ca++ release
  2. Ca++ causes ACh release by exocytosis
  3. ACh binds to nicotinic receptors
  4. ACh activates muscarinic receptors in effector cells

  
• What are the classical receptor classes in the ANS?

  • Cholinoceptors: Nicotinic ACh receptors & Muscarinic ACh receptors
  • Adrenoceptors: Alpha & beta adrenoceptors
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the urogenital tract?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Relaxes bladder wall
  • Constricts internal urethral sphincter
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Contracts bladder wall
  • Relaxes internal urethral sphincter

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the intestines?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Reduces intestinal motility
  • Constricts sphincters
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Increases intestinal motility
  • Relaxes sphincters

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the blood vessels?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Constricts vasculature in most locations
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Largely no effect, relaxes in few locations

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the lungs?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Relaxes bronchi
  • Decreases mucus production
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Constricts bronchi
  • Stimulates mucus production

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the heart?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Increases heart rate
  • Increases force of contraction
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Decreases heart rate
  • Decreases force of contraction

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the endocrine system?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Release of adrenaline
  • Parasympathetic:
  • No effect

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the penis?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Ejaculation
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Penile erection

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the salivary glands?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Decreases saliva production
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Increases saliva production

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the pancreas?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Decreases insulin secretion
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Increases insulin secretion

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the bladder?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Relaxes bladder wall
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Contracts bladder wall

  
• What are the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on the internal urethral sphincter?

  • Sympathetic:
  • Constricts internal urethral sphincter
  • Parasympathetic:
  • Relaxes internal urethral sphincter