Question

The motor portion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), sympathetic and parasympathetic, are characterized by a two-neuron chain. The pre-ganglionic nerve cell body is located in the ____________ and the postganglionic nerve cell body is located in ____________.

Answer 1

The pre-ganglionic nerve cell body of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) is located in the CNS, and the postganglionic nerve cell body is located in the PNS. Parasympathetic neurons originate in the brainstem and sacral spinal cord, while sympathetic neurons primarily originate in the thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord.

Step-by-step explanation:

The motor portion of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, is characterized by a two-neuron chain. The pre-ganglionic nerve cell body is located in the central nervous system (CNS), while the postganglionic nerve cell body is located in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

In more detail, parasympathetic pre-ganglionic neurons have cell bodies located in the brainstem and in the sacral spinal cord. Their axons release acetylcholine onto postganglionic neurons which are generally located very near the target organs. Conversely, most sympathetic pre-ganglionic neurons originate in the spinal cord, specifically in the thoracolumbar region, and synapse on postganglionic neurons within sympathetic ganglia which form a chain alongside the spinal cord.

These autonomic pathways enable vital fight or flight responses through the sympathetic division and rest and digest functions via the parasympathetic division, creating a balance in the body's involuntary processes.

Answer 2

1. Cerebellar trunk or spinal cord

2. ganglia

Step-by-step explanation:

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a motor function system for visceral organs, blood vessels and secretory glands. The ANS is divided into a sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, which consists of a motor pathway, composed of two neurons: pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic.

The cell bodies of pre-ganglionic neurons are located in the cerebellar trunk or spinal cord. These neurons secrete mainly acetylcholine.

Postganglionic neurons, in turn, have their cell bodies located in the ganglia, and are responsible for sending unmyelinated axons (absence of the myelin sheath) and secreting norepinephrine.