NURP 424 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS
SYSTEM & HEADACHES | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS.
Section 1: Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – Anatomy & Physiology
(Questions 1-15)
1. The autonomic nervous system primarily innervates which three types
of tissue?
Answer: Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.
2. What are the two main divisions of the ANS, and what are their
primary, opposing functions?
Answer: The sympathetic division (fight-or-flight) and
the parasympathetic division (rest-and-digest). The sympathetic system
prepares the body for action, while the parasympathetic system
promotes relaxation and energy conservation.
3. Where are the preganglionic cell bodies located for the sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous systems?
Answer:
o
Sympathetic: Thoracolumbar region (T1-L2) of the spinal cord.
o
,o
Parasympathetic: Craniosacral region (brainstem nuclei and S2-S4).
o
4. Describe the anatomical difference in the length of preganglionic vs.
postganglionic fibers between the sympathetic and parasympathetic
divisions.
Answer:
o
Sympathetic: Short preganglionic fibers and long postganglionic fibers
(ganglia are close to the spinal cord).
o
o
Parasympathetic: Long preganglionic fibers and short postganglionic
fibers (ganglia are close to or within the target organ).
o
5. Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter for all
preganglionic neurons in both divisions. What are the two types of
cholinergic receptors, and where are they found?
Answer:
o
Nicotinic (Nn): Found on all autonomic postganglionic neurons (and at
the neuromuscular junction).
o
, o
Muscarinic (M): Found on all target organs of the parasympathetic
system and on sweat glands (sympathetic).
o
6. Norepinephrine (NE) is the primary neurotransmitter for most
sympathetic postganglionic neurons. What are the two main types of
adrenergic receptors?
Answer: Alpha (α) and Beta (β) receptors.
7. A patient is given a drug that blocks beta-1 receptors. What specific
cardiovascular effects would you expect to see?
Answer: Decreased heart rate (negative chronotrope), decreased
contractility (negative inotrope), and decreased conduction velocity
through the AV node (negative dromotrope).
8. Stimulation of alpha-1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle leads to
what primary effect?
Answer: Vasoconstriction.
9. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors leads to bronchodilation. Name two
other significant effects of beta-2 receptor stimulation.
Answer: Vasodilation in skeletal muscle and glycogenolysis in the liver.
SYSTEM & HEADACHES | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS.
Section 1: Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – Anatomy & Physiology
(Questions 1-15)
1. The autonomic nervous system primarily innervates which three types
of tissue?
Answer: Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.
2. What are the two main divisions of the ANS, and what are their
primary, opposing functions?
Answer: The sympathetic division (fight-or-flight) and
the parasympathetic division (rest-and-digest). The sympathetic system
prepares the body for action, while the parasympathetic system
promotes relaxation and energy conservation.
3. Where are the preganglionic cell bodies located for the sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous systems?
Answer:
o
Sympathetic: Thoracolumbar region (T1-L2) of the spinal cord.
o
,o
Parasympathetic: Craniosacral region (brainstem nuclei and S2-S4).
o
4. Describe the anatomical difference in the length of preganglionic vs.
postganglionic fibers between the sympathetic and parasympathetic
divisions.
Answer:
o
Sympathetic: Short preganglionic fibers and long postganglionic fibers
(ganglia are close to the spinal cord).
o
o
Parasympathetic: Long preganglionic fibers and short postganglionic
fibers (ganglia are close to or within the target organ).
o
5. Acetylcholine (ACh) is the primary neurotransmitter for all
preganglionic neurons in both divisions. What are the two types of
cholinergic receptors, and where are they found?
Answer:
o
Nicotinic (Nn): Found on all autonomic postganglionic neurons (and at
the neuromuscular junction).
o
, o
Muscarinic (M): Found on all target organs of the parasympathetic
system and on sweat glands (sympathetic).
o
6. Norepinephrine (NE) is the primary neurotransmitter for most
sympathetic postganglionic neurons. What are the two main types of
adrenergic receptors?
Answer: Alpha (α) and Beta (β) receptors.
7. A patient is given a drug that blocks beta-1 receptors. What specific
cardiovascular effects would you expect to see?
Answer: Decreased heart rate (negative chronotrope), decreased
contractility (negative inotrope), and decreased conduction velocity
through the AV node (negative dromotrope).
8. Stimulation of alpha-1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle leads to
what primary effect?
Answer: Vasoconstriction.
9. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors leads to bronchodilation. Name two
other significant effects of beta-2 receptor stimulation.
Answer: Vasodilation in skeletal muscle and glycogenolysis in the liver.
