Question

Which of the following statements does NOT accurately describe a characteristic of the autonomic nervous system?

a. Autonomic pathways consist of two types of motor neurons.
b. ANS stimulation of involuntary effectors is always excitatory.
c. The output (motor) portion of the ANS can be divided into two principal branches.
d. The postganglionic neuron lies entirely in the peripheral nervous system.
e. All of the choices describe characteristics of the ANS.

Answer 1

The autonomic nervous system can have both excitatory and inhibitory effects on involuntary processes in the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is b. ANS stimulation of involuntary effectors is always excitatory. This statement does not accurately describe a characteristic of the autonomic nervous system. While the autonomic nervous system generally functions to regulate involuntary processes in the body, its stimulation of effectors can be either excitatory or inhibitory depending on the situation. For example, the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system can cause an increase in heart rate (excitatory) or a decrease in digestive activity (inhibitory). Essentially, the autonomic nervous system modulates organ function to maintain homeostasis in the body, and its effects can be both excitatory and inhibitory.

Answer 2

e. All of the choices describe characteristics of the ANS.

Step-by-step explanation:

The autonomic nervous system is a regulatory and control system that influences the functions of internal organs.

Autonomic pathways consist of two types of motor neurons, these are the preganglionic neuron and the postganglionic neuron.

ANS stimulation of involuntary effectors is always excitatory. In the preganglionic autonomic neurons, and all postganglionic parasympathetic neurons are usually (cholinergic i.e receptors that bins with acetylcholine), as a result they release acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter. The cholinergic effects of preganglionic autonomic neurons are always excitatory.

The postganglionic neuron lies entirely in the peripheral nervous system.Yes!, this is so because the ganglion cells that give rise to postganglionic axons lies through the gray rami communicans and join the peripheral nerves of the peripheral nervous system.