Question

which of the following is true regarding the autonomic nervous system?
it controls skeletal muscle contraction.
it has no ganglia along its nerves.
it uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine exclusively.
its denervation would cause hypersensitivity.
it usually controls conscious actions.
question 49 (1.7 points)
the_________ is an especially important center of autonomic control.
pons
medulla oblongata
hypothalamus
midbrain
pituitary gland

Explanation:

• For the first question:
• The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscle contraction, not the autonomic nervous system.
• The autonomic nervous system has ganglia along its nerves.
• It uses both acetylcholine and norepinephrine (not exclusively acetylcholine).
• Denervation (removal of nerve supply) of the autonomic nervous - innervated organs can cause hypersensitivity (e.g., in cases of sympathetic denervation, the target organs may become more sensitive to circulating catecholamines).
• The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary (unconscious) actions like heart rate, digestion.
• For the second question:
• The hypothalamus is a major center for autonomic control. It integrates the autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral responses. The pons has some role in autonomic functions (e.g., respiratory control - but to a more limited extent compared to the hypothalamus). The medulla oblongata controls vital autonomic functions like heart rate and breathing but is more of a relay and execution center. The midbrain has less prominent autonomic control functions compared to the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland that is regulated by the hypothalamus in the context of the hypothalamic - pituitary axis.

Answer:

• First question: Its denervation would cause hypersensitivity.
• Second question: hypothalamus