Autonomic Nervous System

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts related to the autonomic nervous system.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The part of the nervous system responsible for involuntary functions like body temperature, cardiovascular activity, respiratory functions, and digestive functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The 'fight or flight' division of the autonomic nervous system, preparing the body for action by increasing heart rate and diverting blood to muscles.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The 'rest and digest' division of the autonomic nervous system, which conserves energy and promotes digestion and relaxation.

Afferent Division

The division of the peripheral nervous system that carries information towards the central nervous system.

Efferent Division

The division of the peripheral nervous system that carries information away from the central nervous system.

Ganglion

A collection of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system.

Neurotransmitter

A chemical messenger that transmits signals across a synapse between neurons.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

A major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system, released by all preganglionic axons and parasympathetic postganglionic axons.

Noradrenaline (NA)

A major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system, released by almost all sympathetic postganglionic axons (except those at sweat glands).

Nicotinic receptors

A type of acetylcholine receptor that are ligand-gated ion channels, found on all postganglionic neurons and adrenal medulla cells.

Muscarinic receptors

A type of acetylcholine receptor that are G protein-coupled receptors, found on cells stimulated by postganglionic parasympathetic neurons and sweat glands innervated by postganglionic sympathetic neurons.

Adrenergic receptors

G protein-coupled receptors that bind noradrenaline and adrenaline, including alpha (α) and beta (β) adrenoceptors.

Adrenal Medulla

A gland on top of the kidneys that releases adrenaline and noradrenaline as hormones into the bloodstream upon sympathetic stimulation.