Question 1

The autonomic nervous system is also known as the involuntary nervous system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Norepinephrine is one of the more important neurotransmitters of the peripheral nervous system. Identify the branches of the peripheral nervous system for which norepinephrine is the neurotransmitter and describe the receptors responsible for responding to norepinephrine. Include the mechanisms whereby these receptors transduce the response to norepinephrine.

Accepted Answer

Neurons that release norepinephrine are

Question 3

What is the correct order for the steps of synaptic transmission at the motor end plate? 1. Acetylcholine binds to postsynaptic receptors.
2) Acetylcholine is released by exocytosis.
3) A graded depolarization is produced.
4) An action potential is produced on the muscle cell membrane.
5) Channels that primarily allow diffusion of sodium are opened.
6) Voltage- dependent calcium channels on the plasma membrane open.
7) An action potential arrives at the axon terminal.

Accepted Answer

A) 7, 6, 2, 1, 5, 3, 4 
B) 7, 6, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6 
C) 7, 5, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6 
D) 6, 7, 2, 1, 3, 5, 4 
E) 5, 7, 6, 2, 1, 4, 3 
A) 7, 6, 2, 1, 5, 3, 4 
B) 7, 6, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6 
C) 7, 5, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6 
D) 6, 7, 2, 1, 3, 5, 4 
E) 5, 7, 6, 2, 1, 4, 3

Question 4

Alpha adrenergic receptors have a greater affinity for norepinephrine than for epinephrine.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Atropine, first derived from the Atropa belladonna plant, is a nicotinic receptor antagonist.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

How does latroxin, the venom of the black widow spider, cause muscle spasms and rigidity?

Accepted Answer

A) It stimulates acetylcholine release from motor neurons. 
B) It inhibits acetylcholine release from motor neurons. 
C) It stimulates acetylcholine release from autonomic preganglionic neurons. 
D) It blocks nicotinic cholinergic receptors. 
E) It inhibits the degradation of acetylcholine at all synapses. 
A) It stimulates acetylcholine release from motor neurons. 
B) It inhibits acetylcholine release from motor neurons. 
C) It stimulates acetylcholine release from autonomic preganglionic neurons. 
D) It blocks nicotinic cholinergic receptors. 
E) It inhibits the degradation of acetylcholine at all synapses.

Question 7

When the body is stressed, what is the relative contribution of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to the regulation of homeostasis?

Accepted Answer

A) Only the parasympathetic system is active. 
B) Only the sympathetic system is active. 
C) Both systems are active but the parasympathetic predominates. 
D) Both systems are active but the sympathetic predominates. 
E) Neither system is active. 
A) Only the parasympathetic system is active. 
B) Only the sympathetic system is active. 
C) Both systems are active but the parasympathetic predominates. 
D) Both systems are active but the sympathetic predominates. 
E) Neither system is active.

Question 8

Scopolamine is a muscarinic antagonist that acts by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Although it is not clear how scopolamine prevents nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness, which statement below best describes the mechanism of action for this drug?

Accepted Answer

A) Scopolamine works by preventing calcium influx at the axon terminal, therefore preventing the release of neurotransmitter. 
B) Scopolamine works on the optic nerve blocking sodium channels so that the sight of motion does not make an individual sick. 
C) Scopolamine causes chloride channels to open causing a subthreshold graded potential in the soma of the cell and, therefore, no action potential is ever generated that may cause motion sickness. 
D) Scopolamine prevents communication between the nerves of the vestibule and the vomiting center in the brain by blocking the action of acetylcholine. 
E) Scopolamine breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, therefore blocking the drug from entering the neuron. 
A) Scopolamine works by preventing calcium influx at the axon terminal, therefore preventing the release of neurotransmitter. 
B) Scopolamine works on the optic nerve blocking sodium channels so that the sight of motion does not make an individual sick. 
C) Scopolamine causes chloride channels to open causing a subthreshold graded potential in the soma of the cell and, therefore, no action potential is ever generated that may cause motion sickness. 
D) Scopolamine prevents communication between the nerves of the vestibule and the vomiting center in the brain by blocking the action of acetylcholine. 
E) Scopolamine breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, therefore blocking the drug from entering the neuron.

Question 9

Postganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system release neurotransmitter from

Accepted Answer

A) neuromuscular junction. 
B) axon hillock. 
C) varicosities. 
D) somas. 
E) dendrites. 
A) neuromuscular junction. 
B) axon hillock. 
C) varicosities. 
D) somas. 
E) dendrites.

Question 10

Which of the following endocrine glands is innervated by sympathetic preganglionic neurons?

Accepted Answer

A) pancreas 
B) thyroid gland 
C) anterior pituitary 
D) adrenal cortex 
E) adrenal medulla 
A) pancreas 
B) thyroid gland 
C) anterior pituitary 
D) adrenal cortex 
E) adrenal medulla

Question 11

What is the primary mode of action of curare?

Accepted Answer

A) It causes the degradation of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. 
B) It decreases the amount of acetylcholine released from the synaptic terminal. 
C) It decreases the number of functional receptors on the muscle cell by the process of phagocytosis, which impairs the ability of neurons to respond to acetylcholine. 
D) It blocks communication at the neuromuscular junction by preventing acetylcholine from binding to nicotinic cholinergic receptors. 
E) It blocks the sodium channels in the axon of the presynaptic axon. 
A) It causes the degradation of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. 
B) It decreases the amount of acetylcholine released from the synaptic terminal. 
C) It decreases the number of functional receptors on the muscle cell by the process of phagocytosis, which impairs the ability of neurons to respond to acetylcholine. 
D) It blocks communication at the neuromuscular junction by preventing acetylcholine from binding to nicotinic cholinergic receptors. 
E) It blocks the sodium channels in the axon of the presynaptic axon.

Question 12

Where are most of the autonomic nervous system control centers located?

Accepted Answer

A) brainstem 
B) frontal lobe 
C) limbic system 
D) thalamus 
E) spinal cord 
A) brainstem 
B) frontal lobe 
C) limbic system 
D) thalamus 
E) spinal cord

Question 13

Myasthenia gravis primarily affects women and its defining characteristic is fatigue of unusually rapid onset and severity following the use of certain muscle groups. What symptoms below best allude to the set of muscles affected by this disease?

Accepted Answer

A) difficulty moving the joints of the fingers and toes 
B) relaxed bladder causing frequent urination 
C) difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and drooping eyelids 
D) difficulty walking due to fatigue in the major muscles of the legs 
E) difficulty in fine motor control of the fingers, especially the thumb 
A) difficulty moving the joints of the fingers and toes 
B) relaxed bladder causing frequent urination 
C) difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and drooping eyelids 
D) difficulty walking due to fatigue in the major muscles of the legs 
E) difficulty in fine motor control of the fingers, especially the thumb

Question 14

According to the concept of dual innervation, in most cases, the two branches of the autonomic nervous system innervate the same effector organs, but tend to have opposite effects on those organs.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which of the following physiological responses is associated with elevated sympathetic nervous system activity?

Accepted Answer

A) increased contractile force of the heart 
B) inhibition of cardiovascular function 
C) enhanced digestion 
D) decreased heart rate 
E) enhanced absorption of nutrients 
A) increased contractile force of the heart 
B) inhibition of cardiovascular function 
C) enhanced digestion 
D) decreased heart rate 
E) enhanced absorption of nutrients

Question 16

fi2 adrenergic receptor agonists are used to treat acute asthma symptoms by eliciting a response similar to , which has a greater affinity for fi2 receptors and leads to dilation of the respiratory pathways.

Accepted Answer

A) atropine 
B) epinephrine 
C) cyclic AMP 
D) norepinephrine 
E) acetylcholine 
A) atropine 
B) epinephrine 
C) cyclic AMP 
D) norepinephrine 
E) acetylcholine

Question 17

The nature of a response from the sympathetic nervous system is determined by the anatomy of this system. Describe the general structure of the sympathetic nervous system, including the three anatomical configurations and how they contribute to the overall sympathetic response.

Accepted Answer

The efferent pathway of the sympathetic

Question 18

Parasympathetic neurons from which cranial nerve innervate most of the viscera in the thoracic and abdominal cavities?

Accepted Answer

A) I 
B) III 
C) VII 
D) IX 
E) X 
A) I 
B) III 
C) VII 
D) IX 
E) X

Question 19

The sympathetic nervous system is sometimes called the thoracolumbar division of the autonomic nervous system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

A motor unit consists of a skeletal muscle fiber (cell)and all of the motor neurons that innervate that skeletal muscle fiber.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 11: The Nervous System: Autonomic and Motor Systems

The autonomic nervous system is also known as the involuntary nervous system.

Alpha adrenergic receptors have a greater affinity for norepinephrine than for epinephrine.

Atropine, first derived from the Atropa belladonna plant, is a nicotinic receptor antagonist.

How does latroxin, the venom of the black widow spider, cause muscle spasms and rigidity?

When the body is stressed, what is the relative contribution of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to the regulation of homeostasis?

Scopolamine is a muscarinic antagonist that acts by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Although it is not clear how scopolamine prevents nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness, which statement below best describes the mechanism of action for this drug?

Postganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous system release neurotransmitter from

Which of the following endocrine glands is innervated by sympathetic preganglionic neurons?

What is the primary mode of action of curare?

Where are most of the autonomic nervous system control centers located?

Myasthenia gravis primarily affects women and its defining characteristic is fatigue of unusually rapid onset and severity following the use of certain muscle groups. What symptoms below best allude to the set of muscles affected by this disease?

According to the concept of dual innervation, in most cases, the two branches of the autonomic nervous system innervate the same effector organs, but tend to have opposite effects on those organs.

Which of the following physiological responses is associated with elevated sympathetic nervous system activity?

fi2 adrenergic receptor agonists are used to treat acute asthma symptoms by eliciting a response similar to , which has a greater affinity for fi2 receptors and leads to dilation of the respiratory pathways.

The nature of a response from the sympathetic nervous system is determined by the anatomy of this system. Describe the general structure of the sympathetic nervous system, including the three anatomical configurations and how they contribute to the overall sympathetic response.

Parasympathetic neurons from which cranial nerve innervate most of the viscera in the thoracic and abdominal cavities?

The sympathetic nervous system is sometimes called the thoracolumbar division of the autonomic nervous system.

A motor unit consists of a skeletal muscle fiber (cell)and all of the motor neurons that innervate that skeletal muscle fiber.

Introduction to Physiology

The Cell: Structure and Function

Cell Metabolism

Cell Membrane Transport

Chemical Messengers

The Endocrine System: Endocrine Glands and Hormone Actions

Nerve Cells and Electrical Signaling

Synaptic Transmission and Neural Integration

The Nervous System: Central Nervous System

The Nervous System: Sensory Systems

Muscle Physiology

The Cardiovascular System: Cardiac Function

The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels, Blood Flow, and Blood Pressure

The Cardiovascular System: Blood

The Respiratory System: Pulmonary Ventilation

The Respiratory System: Gas Exchange and the Regulation of Breathing

The Urinary System: Renal Function

The Urinary System: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

The Gastrointestinal System

The Endocrine System: Regulation of Energy Metabolism and Growth

The Reproductive System

The Immune System

Diabetes Mellitus

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