AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: STRUCTURE,
FUNCTION, AND PHARMACOLOGY |MEDSERG EXAM
2 | GUARANTEED SUCCESS STARTS HERE! LEARN,
PRACTICE & EXCEL!
What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? Answer: To maintain
homeostasis in the body.
What are the two main divisions of the ANS? Answer: The sympathetic nervous system
(SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).
What neurotransmitters are primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system
(SNS)? Answer: Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine.
What neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the parasympathetic nervous system
(PSNS)? Answer: Acetylcholine (ACh).
How does the ANS transmit messages to target organs? Answer: Through a two-neuron
system consisting of preganglionic and postganglionic neurons that synapse at a ganglion.
What physiological responses are regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
Answer: Responses during stress, such as increased heart rate and blood flow to muscles.
What physiological responses are regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system
(PSNS)? Answer: Rest and digest functions, such as decreased heart rate and increased
digestive activity.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, What is the function of autonomic reflexes in the ANS? Answer: To help maintain
homeostasis by providing rapid responses to changes in the internal environment.
What is the significance of autonomic drug selectivity? Answer: Medications can
selectively target specific receptors in the ANS to achieve desired therapeutic effects.
What are the major target organs of the ANS? Answer: The heart, lungs, eyes, smooth
muscle, and glands.
What are the four regions of the spinal cord? Answer: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and
sacral.
What is the primary function of the spinal cord? Answer: To send and receive information
to and from designated areas of the body.
What is the structure that protects the brain? Answer: The meninges, blood-brain barrier,
and skull.
What does the somatic nervous system control? Answer: Voluntary movements and
targets skeletal muscle.
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in muscle control? Answer: It
provides unconscious control of cardiac and smooth muscle.
What is the reflex arc associated with the somatic nervous system? Answer: A neural
pathway that controls reflex actions.
What is the difference in activation between the SNS and PSNS? Answer: SNS is active
during stress, while PSNS is active when the body is not under stress.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
FUNCTION, AND PHARMACOLOGY |MEDSERG EXAM
2 | GUARANTEED SUCCESS STARTS HERE! LEARN,
PRACTICE & EXCEL!
What is the primary role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? Answer: To maintain
homeostasis in the body.
What are the two main divisions of the ANS? Answer: The sympathetic nervous system
(SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).
What neurotransmitters are primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system
(SNS)? Answer: Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine.
What neurotransmitter is primarily associated with the parasympathetic nervous system
(PSNS)? Answer: Acetylcholine (ACh).
How does the ANS transmit messages to target organs? Answer: Through a two-neuron
system consisting of preganglionic and postganglionic neurons that synapse at a ganglion.
What physiological responses are regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
Answer: Responses during stress, such as increased heart rate and blood flow to muscles.
What physiological responses are regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system
(PSNS)? Answer: Rest and digest functions, such as decreased heart rate and increased
digestive activity.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, What is the function of autonomic reflexes in the ANS? Answer: To help maintain
homeostasis by providing rapid responses to changes in the internal environment.
What is the significance of autonomic drug selectivity? Answer: Medications can
selectively target specific receptors in the ANS to achieve desired therapeutic effects.
What are the major target organs of the ANS? Answer: The heart, lungs, eyes, smooth
muscle, and glands.
What are the four regions of the spinal cord? Answer: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and
sacral.
What is the primary function of the spinal cord? Answer: To send and receive information
to and from designated areas of the body.
What is the structure that protects the brain? Answer: The meninges, blood-brain barrier,
and skull.
What does the somatic nervous system control? Answer: Voluntary movements and
targets skeletal muscle.
What is the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in muscle control? Answer: It
provides unconscious control of cardiac and smooth muscle.
What is the reflex arc associated with the somatic nervous system? Answer: A neural
pathway that controls reflex actions.
What is the difference in activation between the SNS and PSNS? Answer: SNS is active
during stress, while PSNS is active when the body is not under stress.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
