Question 1

Activation of the parasympathetic division will not directly reduce:

Accepted Answer

There are exceptions; for example, most blood vessels do not receive parasympathetic innervation.

Question 2

The neurotransmitter common to both preganglionic fibers in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system is:

Accepted Answer

The neurotransmitter released from preganglionic nerve fibers of the autonomic ganglia of both divisions is acetylcholine.

Question 3

The special property that allows cardiac and smooth muscle to initiate contraction on their own is:

Accepted Answer

These two types of involuntary muscle are found in the walls of the internal organs and glands and possess a special property, autorhythmicity, which allows them to initiate their own contractions.

Question 4

Two structures that directly regulate visceral nerves are:

Accepted Answer

The visceral nerves, which are not under conscious control, are regulated by the hypothalamus and the medulla oblongata.

Question 5

A patient with severe hypertension can be viewed as having an overstimulation of which receptor?

Accepted Answer

The definition or action of alpha-1 receptor stimulation is the contraction of smooth muscle; for example, vasoconstriction of blood vessels.

Question 6

Neurons innervating increased heart rate and breathing originate from the:

Accepted Answer

The nerves of the sympathetic division (known as the thoracolumbar division) originate from the thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves (T1 to L3).

Question 7

Another name for the autonomic nervous system is:

Accepted Answer

The visceral nerves are commonly referred to as the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Question 8

The function of the autonomic nervous system is to regulate the rate of:

Accepted Answer

If the internal organs can initiate their own contractions, why is the autonomic nervous system needed? The answer is the key to the purpose of the

Question 9

What is the main chemical released by the medulla in sympathetic stimulation?

Accepted Answer

The effects of sympathetic stimulation are produced by the release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve endings and also by epinephrine (EPI) released from the adrenal medulla.

Question 10

The ultimate purpose of the autonomic nervous system is to:

Accepted Answer

the ANS functions to regulate the rate at which these organs work, either increasing or decreasing their activity. In this way, homeostasis, the normal balance among the body's internal organs, can be maintained.

Question 11

A type of receptor located at sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia is:

Accepted Answer

Nn receptors are located at both the parasympathetic and sympathetic ganglia and are stimulated by acetylcholine released from preganglionic nerve endings to conduct impulses across the autonomic ganglia to the postganglionic fibers of both autonomic divisions.

Question 12

A patient with asthma can benefit from taking a medication that stimulates which receptor?

Accepted Answer

Beta-2 receptors are located on smooth muscle and produce relaxation of smooth muscle; for example, relaxation of respiratory smooth muscle (bronchodilation).

Question 13

The term used to describe the complementary actions of either increasing or decreasing a response in the autonomic nervous system is:

Accepted Answer

One division usually increases the activity of a particular organ while the other decreases the activity. This is referred to as dual autonomic innervation.

Question 14

Nomenclature used for sympathetic and parasympathetic branches is associated with neurotransmitters released from:

Accepted Answer

In the parasympathetic division, the postganglionic nerve fiber is cholinergic and releases acetylcholine. In the sympathetic division, the postganglionic nerve fiber is adrenergic and releases norepinephrine.

Question 15

If the heart of a frog were placed in a petri dish filled with oxygenated Ringer's solution,what other chemical would be essential to make it contract?

Accepted Answer

This process can be demonstrated by removing the heart or a piece of intestine from a frog, placing the organ in oxygenated Ringer's solution, and observing the contractions that occur without any stimulation.

Question 16

A parasympathetic stimulating medication would be good for which condition?

Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nerves increase body functions such as digestion and elimination of waste products (urination, defecation).

Question 17

Neurons innervating increased digestion and urinary output originate from the:

Accepted Answer

The nerves of the parasympathetic division (also known as the craniosacral division) originate from the brain (cranial nerves 3, 7, 9, and 10) and spinal cord (sacral nerves S2 to S4).

Question 18

Blood pressure is lowered by:

Accepted Answer

In this situation, blood pressure is controlled by either increasing sympathetic activity to cause vasoconstriction or decreasing sympathetic activity to cause vasodilation.

Question 19

A patient with tachycardia is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

For example, sympathetic stimulation increases heart rate and the force of myocardial contraction; also bronchodilation allows for more air exchange in the lungs.

Question 20

Patients undergoing a chemical stress test at a doctor's office could expect to receive an injection of which neurotransmitter?

Accepted Answer

However, the daily stresses, anxieties, and illnesses we do experience are sufficient enough to activate the sympathetic system to produce changes that are similar to the fight or flight reaction.

Quiz 5: Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System