Autonomic Nervous System

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The autonomic nervous system has an important role in controlling visceral organs through the actions of operating the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. The autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic division. The sympathetic division, also known as the “fight or flight” system, has short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers which make this division more efficient at preparing the body for heightened somatic activity. The activation of the sympathetic division is associated with the constriction of arterioles (small arteries) throughout the body such as in the digestive organs and kidneys. The restriction of blood flow, in general, leads to a rise in blood pressure as the blood is pushed through …show more content…
The preganglionic fiber releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) at the synapse in the ganglion with the ganglionic neurons. The ganglionic neurons used are the collateral ganglia (unpaired) which travel to visceral effectors in the abdominal viscera and the adrenal medullae (paired) which targets organs and systems throughout the body. The receptors at these locations are adrenergic specifically α1 receptors. The binding of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) that are released by the adrenal medulla would lead to the constriction of the blood vessels leading to the increase in blood pressure. Regarding increasing air flow, the sympathetic chain ganglia (paired) would be the postganglionic neuron used because the fiber targets visceral effectors in the thoracic cavity, for example, the lungs. The binding of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (NE) on the adrenergic receptor, β2, dilates the bronchioles which would increase the air flow in and out of the lungs. Overall, the activation of the sympathetic division can increase air movement in the lungs and party account for rising blood …show more content…
Both divisions follow a similar pathway of a preganglionic neuron interacting with a postganglionic neuron at a ganglion. The parasympathetic division uses the acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter in the ganglion and at the end of the postganglionic fiber. In comparison, the sympathetic division only uses the acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter in the ganglion. There are two types of acetylcholine receptors referred to as cholinergic receptors that are found in these areas. The two cholinergic receptors include nicotinic which are found on all postganglionic neurons; adrenal medullary cells and muscarinic which is found on all parasympathetic target organs. Nicotine is a nicotine acetylcholine receptor agonist from the drug class nicotinic agents. The consumption of nicotine, for example, smoking, can cause unusual responses in the body. Typically, nicotine stimulates the sympathetic division which could lead to a rise in blood pressure. However, high enough levels of nicotine could have effects on the parasympathetic division enough though nicotine does not interact directly with the muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors. The possible reasons for this interaction will be examined closer in the pursuing
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