Biology I - Nervous System - Autonomic Nervous System

Q: A patient has dry mouth and trouble digesting. Which system is likely underactive?

A: Parasympathetic nervous system.

Q: How does the autonomic nervous system differ from somatic motor control?

A: Autonomic uses two-neuron chains; somatic uses a single lower motor neuron.

Q: What type of effectors does the autonomic nervous system control?

A: Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and gland cells.

Q: Why does sympathetic activation reduce digestion?

A: It redirects blood flow away from the gut toward muscles.

Q: Where do parasympathetic neurons originate?

A: Brainstem and sacral spinal cord.

Q: Which autonomic division activates sweat glands?

A: Sympathetic.

Q: Which autonomic division increases blood flow to the intestines?

A: Parasympathetic.

Q: Why do sympathetic postganglionic neurons tend to be long?

A: Ganglia are near the spinal cord, far from target organs.

Q: How do sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons differ anatomically?

A: Sympathetic: short; Parasympathetic: long.