Question

Discuss the differences in the sympathetic vs parasympathetic nervous system in regards to: function, location of ganglia, neurotransmitters employed at chemical synapses, morphology and location of pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic fibers

a) Motor, Sensory, Autonomic
b) Thoracic, Sacral, Cranial
c) Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine
d) Central, Peripheral, Somatic

Answer 1

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for fight or flight response, while the parasympathetic nervous system promotes rest and relaxation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Function: The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for fight or flight response, while the parasympathetic nervous system promotes rest and relaxation.

Location of Ganglia: Sympathetic ganglia are located close to the spinal cord, while parasympathetic ganglia are located near or within the target organs.

Neurotransmitters Employed at Chemical Synapses: In the sympathetic system, preganglionic fibers release acetylcholine and postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine. In the parasympathetic system, both preganglionic and postganglionic fibers release acetylcholine.

Morphology and Location of Pre-ganglionic and Post-ganglionic Fibers: In the sympathetic system, both pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic fibers are relatively short. In the parasympathetic system, pre-ganglionic fibers are relatively long, while post-ganglionic fibers are relatively short.