Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It regulates vital involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion to maintain homeostasis.

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic target cell responses

Question 5

Which of the following correctly matches the receptor type with its primary location and function?

Accepted Answer

Beta-2 receptors: found on smooth muscle cells of bronchioles; cause bronchodilation

Question 6

During a stressful situation, which of the following metabolic changes is most likely to occur due to sympathetic activation?

Accepted Answer

Increased breakdown of glycogen and release of glucose into the blood

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine and norepinephrine released into the bloodstream act as hormones, affecting distant organs for a longer duration.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Decreased heart rate and reduced force of cardiac contraction

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the organization of the autonomic nervous system is correct?

Accepted Answer

Autonomic motor pathways always involve a preganglionic and a postganglionic neuron.

Question 10

Which cranial nerve is the main parasympathetic nerve that innervates most thoracic and abdominal viscera?

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve (CN X)

Question 11

A patient with damage to the sacral region of the spinal cord may have difficulty with which of the following parasympathetic functions?

Accepted Answer

Urination and defecation

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the concept of autonomic tone?

Accepted Answer

There is a constant, baseline level of activity from both divisions, allowing fine control of organ function.

Question 13

Which of the following is a direct effect of parasympathetic stimulation on the eye?

Accepted Answer

Constriction of the pupil

Question 14

If a person is exposed to a toxin that blocks acetylcholine release at all autonomic ganglia, which of the following would most likely occur?

Accepted Answer

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic functions would be impaired.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why sympathetic stimulation causes increased blood flow to skeletal muscles but decreased blood flow to the digestive tract?

Accepted Answer

Different adrenergic receptors (alpha and beta) on blood vessels mediate vasoconstriction or vasodilation depending on the tissue.

Question 16

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between heart rate ($HR$), stroke volume ($SV$), and cardiac output ($CO$) as influenced by the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

$CO = HR 	imes SV$

Question 17

A patient is sweating profusely during exercise. Which neurotransmitter and receptor combination is primarily responsible for this sympathetic response?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine binding to muscarinic receptors

Question 18

Which of the following is a unique feature of the sympathetic division compared to the parasympathetic division?

Accepted Answer

It has preganglionic neurons that originate in the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the effect of parasympathetic stimulation on the heart?

Accepted Answer

Decreases heart rate and blood pressure

Question 20

A patient with a tumor in the adrenal medulla is likely to have elevated levels of which hormones, and what effect would this have on the body?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine and norepinephrine; increased heart rate and blood glucose

The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis: Structure, Function, and Comparison with the Somatic Nervous System

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