Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference in efferent pathways between the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Accepted Answer

SNS uses a single heavily myelinated neuron from the CNS to the effector, while ANS uses a two-neuron chain with a lightly myelinated preganglionic neuron and an unmyelinated postganglionic neuron.

Question 2

A patient is experiencing increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and dilated pupils after a car accident. Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division of the ANS

Question 3

Which neurotransmitter is released by all preganglionic fibers in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 4

Which type of receptor is found on the motor end plates of skeletal muscle cells and always produces a stimulatory effect when bound by acetylcholine?

Accepted Answer

Nicotinic receptor

Question 5

A drug blocks muscarinic receptors. Which of the following effects would most likely be observed?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate and decreased gastrointestinal motility

Question 6

Which of the following statements about adrenergic fibers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Adrenergic fibers are sympathetic postganglionic axons that release norepinephrine.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why pain stimuli arising from the viscera are often perceived as somatic in origin (referred pain)?

Accepted Answer

Visceral pain afferents travel along the same pathways as somatic pain fibers.

Question 8

Which of the following is a function of the parasympathetic division of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Promotes maintenance activities such as digestion and diuresis

Question 9

A patient is given a medication that stimulates beta adrenergic receptors. Which physiological response is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Bronchial dilation and increased heart rate

Question 10

Which of the following equations correctly represents the relationship between heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO)?

Accepted Answer

$CO = HR 	imes SV$

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the arrangement of neurons in the sympathetic division of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers

Question 12

Which of the following is true regarding the effect of acetylcholine binding to muscarinic receptors?

Accepted Answer

It can be either stimulatory or inhibitory depending on the receptor type of the effector organ.

Question 13

Which of the following structures is a cluster of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

Accepted Answer

Ganglion

Question 14

Which pathway is responsible for carrying sympathetic fibers that innervate abdominal viscera?

Accepted Answer

Splanchnic nerve pathway

Question 15

A patient with damage to the sympathetic chain ganglia would most likely experience which of the following symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Decreased ability to mobilize the body during emergencies

Question 16

Which of the following statements about cholinergic fibers is correct?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic fibers release acetylcholine at their axon terminals.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the antagonistic relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division mobilizes the body for emergencies, while parasympathetic division conserves energy and promotes maintenance activities.

Question 18

Which of the following is true regarding the location of terminal ganglia in the parasympathetic division?

Accepted Answer

Terminal ganglia are located near or within the walls of the target organs.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the effect of sympathetic stimulation on blood flow during exercise?

Accepted Answer

Blood flow to muscles is increased, flow to organs is reduced.

Autonomic Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Neurotransmitters

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