CHAPTER 11 READING QUESTIONS

These reading questions are designed to help students focus their reading on the most important
points in the chapter. They are arranged using chapter section headers so that the file can be
easily edited to reflect the material covered in class.

THE AUTONOMIC DIVISION

1. What are the two efferent divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

2. Why is the autonomic division also called the visceral nervous system?

3. Characterize and compare the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions. (Fig. 11.1)

Autonomic Reflexes Are Important for Homeostasis

4. Where in the brain are the homeostatic control centers? Identify some of functions they

regulate. (Figs. 11.2, 11.3)

5. List some autonomic reflexes that do not require any input from the brain. Collectively,

what are these reflexes called?

Antagonistic Control Is a Hallmark of the Autonomic Division

6. Using the example of heart rate, describe how the autonomic nervous system achieves

antagonistic control. Contrast this with tonic control and give an example.

7. Explain how epinephrine (a catecholamine) will cause some blood vessels to constrict but

other vessels to dilate.

Autonomic Pathways Have Two Efferent Neurons in Series

8. Draw and label an autonomic pathway. Include the following terms: autonomic ganglion,

CNS, preganglionic neuron, postganglionic neuron. (Fig. 11.4)

9. What is a ganglion? Are ganglia simply a relay station for signals from the CNS?

10. Why is divergence an important aspect autonomic regulation?

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Branches Originate in Different Regions

11. Describe the anatomical differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways.

(Fig. 11.5)

12. Which cranial nerve is the primary parasympathetic tract? (Fig. 11.5)

The Autonomic Nervous System Uses a Variety of Chemical Signals

13. List the rules for distinguishing the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the

autonomic nervous system. (Fig. 11.6)

14. What are the exceptions to the rules?

Autonomic Pathways Control Smooth and Cardiac Muscle and Glands

15. The synapse between a postganglionic autonomic neuron and its target cell is called the

junction.

16. List the targets of autonomic neurons.

17. Describe and diagram the components of an autonomic synapse. (Fig. 11.7)

18. Cite examples of modulation in autonomic neurotransmitter release.

Autonomic Neurotransmitters Are Synthesized in the Axon

19. Where in autonomic neurons does neurotransmitter synthesis take place? What are the

primary autonomic neurotransmitters?

20. Outline the steps of neurotransmitter release, beginning with the arrival of an action

potential. (Fig. 11.7b)

21. Why is neurotransmitter concentration an important factor in autonomic function?

22. Give examples of ways autonomic neurotransmitters can be removed from the synapse.

What is the main enzyme responsible for degradation of catecholamines?

Autonomic Receptors Have Multiple Subtypes

23. Recreate Table 11.2 for the various α and β adrenergic receptors of sympathetic pathways in

order to highlight their location, their catecholamine-binding affinities, and their effects on

second messengers. What second messenger system is used by all adrenergic receptors?

24. As a rule, parasympathetic neurons release onto muscarinic receptors at their targets. What

second messenger system is used by the muscarinic receptors of the parasympathetic

pathways? How many subtypes of muscarinic receptors are there?

The Adrenal Medulla Secretes Catecholamines

25. Where are the adrenal glands? Describe their anatomy and locate the adrenal medulla.

(Fig. 11.8a, b)

26. Why is the adrenal medulla often described as a modified sympathetic ganglion? (Fig.

11.8c)

Autonomic Agonists and Antagonists Are Important Tools in Research and Medicine

Primary Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System Are Relatively Uncommon

27. List some examples of autonomic nervous system disorders.

Summary of Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Branches

28. Refer to Figure 11.9a–c Essentials: Efferent Divisions of the Nervous System and Table

11.4. On another sheet of paper, create a map, diagram, or other visual study aid that

compares the two branches of the autonomic nervous system. Use specific details about

receptor types and second messenger pathways.

SOMATIC MOTOR DIVISION

29. Anatomically and functionally, how do somatic motor pathways differ from autonomic

pathways? (Fig. 11.9)

A Somatic Motor Pathway Consists of One Neuron

30. Diagram a typical somatic motor pathway, including its neuromuscular junction.

(Figs. 11.9, 11.10)

The Neuromuscular Junction Contains Nicotinic Receptors

31. Outline the events that result in neurotransmitter release, beginning with the arrival of an

action potential at the axon terminal. Identify the neurotransmitter, the receptors, the

cellular mechanism that initiates a muscular response, and the enzyme that deactivates the

neurotransmitter. (Fig. 11.10c–e)