Autonomic Nervous System: Structure, Function, and Clinical Implications

Question 1

Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting the 'rest-and-digest' response?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 2

Identify the neurotransmitter primarily released by the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 3

Which situation typically triggers activation of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Stressful or threatening conditions

Answer

Rest and digestion

Answer

Physical exercise

Answer

Sleep

Question 4

Which effect is commonly observed during sympathetic nervous system activation?

Accepted Answer

Dilated pupils

Answer

Decreased heart rate

Answer

Increased salivation

Answer

Slowed digestion

Question 5

Which part of the nervous system primarily controls the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Brainstem and spinal cord

Answer

Cerebral cortex

Answer

Peripheral nervous system

Answer

Endocrine system

Question 6

Where are the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system primarily located?

Accepted Answer

Near the organs they innervate

Answer

Within the brain and spinal cord

Answer

In the peripheral nervous system

Answer

Within the endocrine system

Question 7

Which neurotransmitter is released by the postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 8

Which neurotransmitter is released at sympathetic postganglionic neurons?

Accepted Answer

Noradrenaline

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 9

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is activated during the 'fight-or-flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Constricts pupils

Answer

Slows heart rate

Answer

Relaxes smooth muscle in bronchial tubes

Answer

Increases salivation

Question 11

Which part of the brain is responsible for integrating autonomic functions and maintaining homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Cerebrum

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Brainstem

Question 12

Which hormone is released by the adrenal medulla to activate the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Cortisol

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 13

Which neurotransmitter is released at parasympathetic postganglionic neurons?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Noradrenaline

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Dopamine

Question 14

What is the effect of activating the sympathetic nervous system on blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Increases

Answer

Decreases

Answer

Unchanged

Answer

Reverses

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a component of the enteric nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve

Answer

Submucosal plexus

Answer

Myenteric plexus

Answer

Meissner's plexus

Question 16

What is the function of the insula in autonomic regulation?

Accepted Answer

Sensory integration of internal bodily states

Answer

Motor control of autonomic responses

Answer

Higher-level cognitive processing

Answer

Hormonal release

Question 17

Which of the following is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of autonomic function?

Accepted Answer

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Dilates blood vessels

Answer

Increases heart rate

Answer

Dilates pupils

Answer

Inhibits digestion

Question 19

The primary neurotransmitter released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons is:

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 20

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic nervous system

Answer

Somatic nervous system

Answer

Parasympathetic nervous system

Answer

Enteric nervous system

Question 21

The vagus nerve is a component of which branch of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a physiological effect of parasympathetic activation?

Accepted Answer

Increased respiration

Answer

Decreased heart rate

Answer

Decreased blood pressure

Answer

Increased digestion

Question 23

The autonomic nervous system is primarily involved in regulating:

Accepted Answer

Involuntary functions

Answer

Voluntary movements

Answer

Cognitive processes

Answer

Emotional responses

Question 24

The enteric nervous system is a division of the autonomic nervous system that innervates the:

Accepted Answer

Digestive tract

Answer

Heart

Answer

Lungs

Answer

Skeletal muscles

Question 25

Which neurotransmitter is responsible for the majority of sympathetic postganglionic neurotransmission?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Question 26

Which branch of the autonomic nervous system generally decreases heart rate and blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 27

The autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for regulating which type of body functions?

Accepted Answer

Involuntary body functions

Answer

Voluntary muscle movements

Answer

Reflexes

Answer

Cognitive processes

Question 28

Which part of the brain serves as the primary control center for the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Medulla

Answer

Cerebellum

Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Thalamus

Question 29

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system's fight-or-flight response?

Accepted Answer

To prepare the body for action

Answer

To relax and conserve energy

Answer

To regulate digestion

Answer

To control body temperature

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a common target organ of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Lungs

Answer

Heart

Answer

Stomach

Answer

Liver

Question 31

What is the primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Noradrenaline

Question 32

What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Mobilizes the body for immediate action (fight or flight)

Answer

Promotes relaxation and recovery (rest and digest)

Answer

Controls body temperature

Answer

Regulates blood pressure

Question 33

Which organ receives nerve signals from both divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Heart

Answer

Lungs

Answer

Liver

Answer

Kidneys

Question 34

Where are the cell bodies of preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic division located?

Accepted Answer

Thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord

Answer

Cranial and sacral regions of the spinal cord

Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Cerebral cortex

Question 35

Which neurotransmitter is released by postganglionic neurons in sympathetic ganglia?

Accepted Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 36

What is the role of the adrenal medulla during the sympathetic response?

Accepted Answer

Releases hormones that enhance sympathetic effects

Answer

Inhibits the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic postganglionic neurons

Answer

Converts acetylcholine into epinephrine

Answer

Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 37

Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis under resting conditions?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Somatic

Question 38

Which of the following processes is NOT regulated by the autonomic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Learning and memory

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Body temperature

Answer

Digestion

Question 39

Which division of the autonomic nervous system primarily activates bodily responses to stressors like the "fight-or-flight" response?

Accepted Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Parasympathetic

Question 40

The parasympathetic nervous system is primarily responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Promoting 'rest-and-digest' functions.

Answer

Maintaining body temperature.

Answer

Controlling involuntary reflexes.

Answer

Preparing the body for physical exertion.

Question 41

Which neurotransmitter is released by both sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Question 42

Which of the following nerves is NOT associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Splanchnic nerve

Answer

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer

Vagus nerve

Answer

Pelvic nerve

Question 43

Which function is NOT attributed to the enteric nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Regulation of body temperature

Answer

Coordination of waste elimination

Answer

Control of gut motility

Answer

Secretion of digestive enzymes

Question 44

The brain structure primarily responsible for regulating the autonomic nervous system is the:

Accepted Answer

Hypothalamus

Answer

Hippocampus

Answer

Amygdala

Answer

Cerebellum

Question 45

In response to sympathetic nervous system activation, the adrenal medulla secretes:

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Glucagon

Answer

Testosterone

Question 46

Damage to the autonomic nervous system can potentially lead to:

Accepted Answer

Dysregulation of organ function

Answer

Loss of voluntary motor control

Answer

Impaired cognitive abilities

Answer

Sensory deficits

Question 47

Which drug is commonly used to block the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic parasympathetic receptors?

Accepted Answer

Atropine

Answer

Gabapentin

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Clonidine

Question 48

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system typically results in:

Accepted Answer

Increased cardiac output and vasoconstriction

Answer

Relaxation of sphincter muscles

Answer

Decreased heart rate and sweating

Answer

Enhanced digestion and salivation