Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between the somatic motor and visceral motor nervous systems in terms of their effectors?

Accepted Answer

Somatic motor system controls skeletal muscles, while visceral motor system controls cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.

Question 2

A patient is experiencing increased heart rate and dilated pupils after a stressful event. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for these responses?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 3

Which of the following statements about cholinergic and adrenergic neurons is correct?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine, while adrenergic neurons release norepinephrine.

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why motor neurons of the somatic motor nervous system conduct impulses faster than those of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Somatic motor neurons are shorter and have larger diameters, and are typically myelinated, increasing conduction speed.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of neuronal convergence in the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Multiple preganglionic neurons synapse with a single postganglionic neuron.

Question 6

A drug that blocks muscarinic receptors would most likely affect which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Heart rate and glandular secretion

Question 7

Which of the following best describes dual innervation in the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Organs receive input from both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, often producing opposing effects.

Question 8

Which of the following is true regarding the location and function of nicotinic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Nicotinic receptors are found on all postganglionic neurons and are always excitatory.

Question 9

A patient is given a drug that stimulates adrenergic receptors. Which of the following effects is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Increased blood pressure

Question 10

Which of the following best describes autonomic tone?

Accepted Answer

The balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity that maintains homeostasis.

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of the parasympathetic nervous system (craniosacral division)?

Accepted Answer

Preganglionic neurons are long and postganglionic neurons are short.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the pathway of the sympathetic nervous system (thoracolumbar division)?

Accepted Answer

Preganglionic neurons are short and synapse in ganglia near the spinal cord.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of an antagonistic effect of dual innervation?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division increases heart rate, while parasympathetic division decreases heart rate.

Question 14

Which of the following is true regarding muscarinic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Muscarinic receptors are found on effector organs of the parasympathetic division and can be excitatory or inhibitory.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes a cooperative effect of dual innervation?

Accepted Answer

Both divisions work together to produce a unified response, such as producing saliva.

Question 16

Which of the following is a correct example of an autonomic nervous system reflex?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of blood pressure via baroreceptor reflex

Question 17

If a preganglionic neuron releases acetylcholine and the postganglionic neuron releases norepinephrine, which division of the autonomic nervous system is this most likely?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the effect of activating beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate and force of contraction

Question 19

A patient is given a drug that blocks nicotinic receptors. Which of the following effects is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of voluntary muscle contraction

Question 20

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between the number of neurons in a pathway and the speed of signal transmission in the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Speed $$= \frac{1}{n}$$, where $$n is $$the number of neurons in the pathway.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Study Guide – Step-by-Step Guidance

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards