Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Accepted Answer

It regulates involuntary functions of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Question 2

A patient is experiencing increased heart rate and dilated pupils after a car accident. Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is most active in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Question 3

Which of the following statements about antagonistic control in the autonomic nervous system is correct?

Accepted Answer

Antagonistic control allows for fine regulation of organ function by producing opposing effects.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 5

Where are the autonomic ganglia located in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, respectively?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic ganglia are close to the spinal cord; parasympathetic ganglia are close to the target organ.

Question 6

Which of the following best explains why autonomic pathways require two efferent neurons?

Accepted Answer

To enable divergence, allowing one preganglionic neuron to influence multiple target cells.

Question 7

A drug that blocks muscarinic receptors would most directly affect which branch of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons

Question 8

Which of the following is a key difference between the synapse of a somatic motor neuron and an autonomic postganglionic neuron?

Accepted Answer

Autonomic postganglionic neurons use varicosities, allowing them to affect a larger area of target tissue.

Question 9

Which neurotransmitter and receptor combination is most commonly found at the synapse between a sympathetic postganglionic neuron and its target tissue?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine and adrenergic receptor

Question 10

The adrenal medulla is considered a modified sympathetic ganglion because:

Accepted Answer

It releases epinephrine into the bloodstream, which acts on adrenergic receptors throughout the body.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the origin of preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic: thoracic and lumbar spinal cord; Parasympathetic: brainstem and sacral spinal cord

Question 12

A patient is given a drug that mimics the action of norepinephrine. Which physiological response would you expect to observe?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate and dilated bronchioles

Question 13

Which of the following is true regarding the neurotransmitters and receptors used in the somatic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Somatic neurons release acetylcholine onto nicotinic receptors.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity is critical for homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

It allows for precise regulation of organ function by opposing effects.

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the autonomic reflex arc involved in blood pressure regulation?

Accepted Answer

Stimulus → Baroreceptors → Afferent neurons → Brain → Efferent neurons → Heart → Response

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a function regulated by autonomic reflexes integrated in the hypothalamus, pons, and medulla?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary skeletal muscle contraction

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the effect of activating the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Decreased heart rate and increased digestive activity

Question 18

Which of the following is a unique feature of autonomic postganglionic synapses compared to typical neuronal synapses?

Accepted Answer

They use varicosities to release neurotransmitters over a wide area.

Question 19

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between the number of neurons in the efferent pathway and the potential for divergence in the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

$$D = N_{pre} 	imes N_{post}$$

Neural Physiology: The Autonomic Nervous System and Its Divisions

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