Question 1

Which of the following best describes the primary structural difference between the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Accepted Answer

The SNS has motor neurons that directly innervate skeletal muscle, while the ANS uses a relay through autonomic ganglia to reach visceral effectors.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic division

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 4

Which of the following is a correct pairing of receptor type and its primary effect when stimulated by norepinephrine?

Accepted Answer

$$\$$beta_2$$ receptor: Dilation of respiratory passageways

Question 5

Which pathway allows the sympathetic division to exert effects that last much longer than direct neural stimulation?

Accepted Answer

Secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream by the adrenal medullae

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Reduced salivation and decreased digestive activity

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why the effects of norepinephrine released from sympathetic postganglionic fibers last longer than those of acetylcholine?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine is broken down more slowly by enzymes such as monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT).

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of urination and defecation

Question 9

A patient presents with bradycardia, constricted pupils, and increased digestive gland secretion after ingesting a mushroom toxin. Which receptor is most likely being overstimulated?

Accepted Answer

Muscarinic receptor

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the organization of the sympathetic division of the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Short preganglionic fibers and long postganglionic fibers

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct sequence of events for sympathetic activation during a stressful event?

Accepted Answer

Preganglionic neuron releases acetylcholine → postganglionic neuron releases norepinephrine → target organ responds

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why the parasympathetic division produces more localized and specific effects compared to the sympathetic division?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic ganglia are located near or within target organs, and preganglionic fibers synapse with only a few ganglionic neurons.

Question 13

Which of the following is a correct effect of stimulating $$\$$beta_3$$ adrenergic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Lipolysis in adipose tissue

Question 14

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 15

Which of the following best describes the effect of stimulating alpha-2 ($$\$$alpha_2$$) adrenergic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of effector cell by reducing cyclic-AMP ($$cAMP) $$concentration

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-life example of a visceral reflex mediated by the ANS?

Accepted Answer

Goosebumps appearing on the skin in response to cold

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why the effects of adrenal medullary secretion last longer than direct sympathetic nerve stimulation?

Accepted Answer

The bloodstream lacks enzymes such as MAO and COMT to rapidly degrade epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about nicotinic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Their activation always causes excitation by opening chemically gated $$Na^+$$ channels.

Question 19

A patient is given a beta-blocker medication. Which of the following effects would you expect to observe?

Accepted Answer

Decreased heart rate and reduced force of contraction

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the role of the hypothalamus in the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

It acts as the primary integrative center for autonomic activity, comparable to upper motor neurons in the somatic nervous system.

The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions

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