Question

Which of these effectors is not directly controlled by the autonomic nervous system?

1) smooth muscle
2) cardiac muscle
3) skeletal muscle
4) most glands

Answer 1

Skeletal muscle is the effector not directly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, as it is voluntarily controlled by the somatic nervous system, unlike smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and most glands which are regulated involuntarily by the ANS.

Step-by-step explanation:

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls several involuntary functions in the body, including the activity of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and most glands. The ANS operates largely outside of conscious control, managing bodily functions through a network of neurons that signal target tissues via a preganglionic neuron synapsing to a ganglion neuron which then synapses on the target organ. This includes processes such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, and sexual arousal. The somatic nervous system, in contrast, controls voluntary movements through the contraction of skeletal muscle.

Regarding the question, 'Which of these effectors is not directly controlled by the autonomic nervous system?', the answer is skeletal muscle. This type of muscle contraction is voluntary and is controlled by the somatic nervous system, not the ANS.

However, skeletal muscles are not directly controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Skeletal muscles are controlled by the somatic nervous system, which is responsible for voluntary movements.