Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It innervates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands to maintain homeostasis via subconscious control.

Question 2

A patient is experiencing increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and decreased digestive activity after a car accident. Which division of the ANS is primarily responsible for these responses?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 4

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the anatomical differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic division has long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers.

Question 5

Which cranial nerve carries about 90% of all preganglionic parasympathetic fibers in the body and innervates organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities?

Accepted Answer

Vagus (X)

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Effector cells stimulated by postganglionic cholinergic fibers

Question 7

Which of the following is innervated ONLY by the sympathetic division of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Sweat glands

Question 8

A patient is given a drug that selectively stimulates β2 adrenergic receptors. Which of the following effects would you expect?

Accepted Answer

Relaxation and dilation of bronchioles

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why conduction through the ANS is slower than through the somatic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

The ANS uses a two-neuron chain, introducing a synaptic delay.

Question 10

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of dual innervation in the ANS?

Accepted Answer

The heart rate increases during exercise and decreases during rest due to opposing actions of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct pairing of neurotransmitter and receptor type in the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine and nicotinic receptor

Question 12

A patient with a spinal cord injury at the level of T1–L2 would most likely have impaired function in which division of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the effect of acetylcholine binding to nicotinic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Always excitatory

Question 14

Which of the following is a real-life example of the 'fight-or-flight' response mediated by the sympathetic division?

Accepted Answer

Increased heart rate and blood glucose during a robbery

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the adrenal medulla is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is directly stimulated by preganglionic sympathetic fibers to release epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the role of the hypothalamus in ANS control?

Accepted Answer

It is the main integration center for ANS activity, influenced by the limbic system.

Question 17

A patient is given a drug that blocks β1 adrenergic receptors. Which effect would you expect?

Accepted Answer

Decreased heart rate

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the two-neuron chain in the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Preganglionic neuron → postganglionic neuron → effector

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) can be either excitatory or inhibitory in the ANS?

Accepted Answer

The effect depends on the type of receptor (nicotinic or muscarinic) present on the target organ.

Study Guide: The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – Structure, Function, and Divisions

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards