Unit 3 chapter 12: The Nervous System: Autonomic and Somatic Motor Efferent Pathways

What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

Parasympathetic and sympathetic.

What does the parasympathetic branch do?

• Commands organs to operate in “rest and digest mode”

• Tells them to adopt a pattern of activity that restores homeostatic set-points or prioritizes “housekeeping functions”

What does the sympathetic branch do?

• Commands organs to operate in “flight or fight mode”

• Tells them to adopt a pattern of activity that facilitates energetic action during exercise, danger, or other situations.

What does the hypothalamus control?

Temperature, water balance (osmolarity), hunger/appetite, and sex drive

What does the medulla oblongata control?

• The cardiovascular system (heart function and blood vessel diameter).

• The respiratory system (contains the primary respiratory control center. Sets baseline ventilation (breathing rate)

• Swallowing

• Vomiting

What does the pons provide?

Secondary Respiratory control

• Modulation of ventilation rate (breaths per minute)

• Increases ir decreases it on demand or as needed

• Urinary bladder control (micturition reflex).

What control are most internal organs under?

Antagonistic Control (one branch is and one is inhibitory)