What is the autonomic nervous system?

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls the internal organs without conscious effort, acting on smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands.

Name the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

They are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

When is the sympathetic nervous system most active?

It is most active during danger, stress, excitement or vigorous exercise, when the body is being prepared for sudden activity.

When does the parasympathetic nervous system dominate?

It dominates at rest, when the body is conserving energy and digestion is proceeding.

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Neurobiology and Behaviour: The Brain

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

3 things to know
Component 3

Overview

Recall questions on the two divisions of the autonomic system, the neurotransmitter each uses, their opposing effects on heart rate, pupil size and digestion, and why the arrangement is described as antagonistic.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Explain the changes that occur in the body in the moments before a race begins.

Key term

Give four effects of sympathetic stimulation.

Key term

Give four effects of parasympathetic stimulation.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Model answer
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls the internal organs without conscious effort, acting on smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands.
2
Name the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
Model answer
They are the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
3
When is the sympathetic nervous system most active?
Model answer
It is most active during danger, stress, excitement or vigorous exercise, when the body is being prepared for sudden activity.
4
Give four effects of sympathetic stimulation.
Model answer
Sympathetic stimulation raises the heart rate, widens the bronchioles, dilates the pupils and diverts blood from the gut to the skeletal muscles.
5
When does the parasympathetic nervous system dominate?
Model answer
It dominates at rest, when the body is conserving energy and digestion is proceeding.
6
Give four effects of parasympathetic stimulation.
Model answer
Parasympathetic stimulation slows the heart, constricts the pupils, narrows the bronchioles and increases peristalsis and the secretion of digestive juices.

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