Neuroscience Year 1

• What is the main function of the autonomic nervous system?

  Control over internal organs
• What does "autonomous" mean in the context of the autonomic nervous system?

  Self-governing
• What type of control does the autonomic nervous system exert?

  Subconscious control
• Which bodily functions are controlled by the autonomic nervous system?

  Heart rate, pupil diameter, blood vessel contractility
• What is the role of the autonomic nervous system in homeostasis?

  Regulates non-voluntary processes
• What are the subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system?

  • Parasympathetic
  • Sympathetic
  • Enteric

  
• What does the somatic nervous system control?

  Striated muscle
• How does the autonomic nervous system differ from the somatic nervous system?

  ANS controls unconscious functions

  
• What is the structure of the axons in the somatic nervous system?

  Single myelinated axon
• What is the structure of the axons in the autonomic nervous system?

  Two-neuron chain
• What are ganglia in the autonomic nervous system?

  Clusters of cell bodies of neurons
• What are the two types of autonomic fibers?

  Preganglionic and postganglionic fibers

  
• What neurotransmitter is released by preganglionic nerves?

  Acetylcholine (ACh)
• What neurotransmitter is released by postganglionic nerves in the sympathetic system?

  Noradrenaline (NA)

  
• What is the role of co-transmitters in the autonomic nervous system?

  They aid the main effect of neurotransmitters
• What are the main functions of the autonomic nervous system?

  1. Conveys outputs from CNS to body
  2. Regulates non-voluntary processes in homeostasis:

  • Heartbeat
  • Smooth muscle contraction
  • Exocrine and endocrine secretions
  • Energy metabolism

  1. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems have opposing effects

  
• How does sympathetic activity change during stress?

  Increases in aroused state
• What is the predominant activity of the parasympathetic nervous system?

  Rest and digest
• Which cranial nerves are involved in the parasympathetic nervous system?

  III, VII, IX, X

  
• Where do preganglionic axons of the parasympathetic nervous system emerge from?

  Cranial and sacral regions of CNS
• What is the general length of parasympathetic preganglionic and postganglionic fibers?

  Long preganglionic, short postganglionic

  
• What is the role of sacral nerves in the parasympathetic nervous system?

  Innervate distal large intestine and bladder
• What are the main features of the sympathetic nervous system's organization?

  • Preganglionic axons enter sympathetic chains
  • Synapse in paravertebral or prevertebral ganglia
  • Short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers

  
• What happens to preganglionic sympathetic axons in the adrenal medulla?

  Terminate on chromaffin cells
• What is the effect of sympathetic activity on blood flow during stress?

  Increases blood flow to muscles
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on blood pressure and heart rate?

  Decreases blood pressure and heart rate

  
• What are the main types of cholinergic receptors?

  1. Muscarinic receptors
  2. Nicotinic receptors
  3. Distribution varies in target tissues
• What is the primary neurotransmitter in cholinergic transmission?

  Acetylcholine (ACh)
• What is the role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in parasympathetic cotransmission?

  Aids the effect of acetylcholine
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on gastrointestinal activity?

  Increases gastrointestinal activity
• What is the effect of sympathetic activity on salivary gland secretion?

  Can stimulate secretion
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on salivary gland secretion?

  Stimulates secretion
• What is the effect of sympathetic activity on sweat glands?

  Stimulates secretion
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on lacrimal glands?

  Stimulates secretion
• What is the effect of sympathetic activity on the liver?

  Stimulates glycogenolysis
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on the kidney?

  No effect
• What is the effect of sympathetic activity on gluconeogenesis in the liver?

  Stimulates gluconeogenesis
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on blood vessels?

  No effect
• What is the effect of sympathetic activity on blood vessels?

  Causes constriction
• What is the effect of parasympathetic activity on heart rate?

  Decreases heart rate