Understanding the classification of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is essential for B. Pharm students studying neuropharmacology, autonomic drugs and clinical therapeutics. The PNS comprises sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) divisions; motor is divided into somatic and autonomic systems, while autonomic splits into sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric branches. Key concepts include peripheral nerves, ganglia, cranial and spinal nerves, neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, norepinephrine), receptor types (nicotinic, muscarinic, adrenergic), and fiber classes (A, B, C). Mastery of PNS classification links anatomy to drug targets, physiology and peripheral neuropathies, enhancing clinical reasoning and drug mechanism understanding. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which two primary divisions constitute the peripheral nervous system?
- Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) divisions
- Central and peripheral divisions
- Somatic and enteric divisions
- Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
Correct Answer: Sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) divisions
Q2. The motor (efferent) division of the PNS is further divided into which two major systems?
- Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
- Sensory and motor systems
- Central and peripheral systems
- Sympathetic and enteric systems
Correct Answer: Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
Q3. The autonomic nervous system is classically subdivided into which branches?
- Sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric
- Somatic, visceral and cranial
- Sensory, motor and integrative
- Central, peripheral and craniosacral
Correct Answer: Sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric
Q4. Which neurotransmitter is released by preganglionic fibers in both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?
- Acetylcholine
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
Correct Answer: Acetylcholine
Q5. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly released by sympathetic postganglionic neurons?
- Norepinephrine
- Acetylcholine
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
- Glutamate
Correct Answer: Norepinephrine
Q6. Which receptor type is predominantly found on autonomic ganglia and mediates fast synaptic transmission?
- Nicotinic (neuronal) receptors
- Muscarinic M2 receptors
- Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors
- Beta-2 adrenergic receptors
Correct Answer: Nicotinic (neuronal) receptors
Q7. Muscarinic receptors are primarily located on which targets of the parasympathetic system?
- Effector organs such as heart, smooth muscle and glands
- Autonomic ganglia
- Neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle
- Sympathetic postganglionic nerve terminals
Correct Answer: Effector organs such as heart, smooth muscle and glands
Q8. Which of the following are the main adrenergic receptor families mediating sympathetic effects?
- Alpha (α) and Beta (β) receptors
- Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors
- GABA-A and GABA-B receptors
- Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors
Correct Answer: Alpha (α) and Beta (β) receptors
Q9. The two major plexuses of the enteric nervous system are called:
- Myenteric (Auerbach) and submucosal (Meissner) plexuses
- Nucleus tractus solitarius and dorsal motor nucleus
- Superior and inferior mesenteric plexuses
- Sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia
Correct Answer: Myenteric (Auerbach) and submucosal (Meissner) plexuses
Q10. Which nerve fiber type is unmyelinated and transmits slow, burning pain?
- C fibers
- A-alpha fibers
- A-beta fibers
- B fibers
Correct Answer: C fibers
Q11. Which fiber class typically contains preganglionic autonomic fibers that are lightly myelinated?
- B fibers
- A-alpha fibers
- C fibers
- A-delta fibers
Correct Answer: B fibers
Q12. At the somatic neuromuscular junction, which neurotransmitter is released to activate skeletal muscle?
- Acetylcholine
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
Correct Answer: Acetylcholine
Q13. The receptor subtype on skeletal muscle at the neuromuscular junction is best described as:
- Nicotinic muscle-type (Nm) receptor
- Muscarinic M3 receptor
- Beta-1 adrenergic receptor
- Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor
Correct Answer: Nicotinic muscle-type (Nm) receptor
Q14. The sympathetic trunk ganglia located alongside the vertebral column are also called:
- Paravertebral ganglia
- Prevertebral ganglia
- Intramural ganglia
- Terminal ganglia
Correct Answer: Paravertebral ganglia
Q15. Which cranial nerve provides the majority of parasympathetic innervation to thoracic and abdominal organs?
- Vagus nerve (CN X)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
- Facial nerve (CN VII)
- Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Correct Answer: Vagus nerve (CN X)
Q16. Compared to the sympathetic system, parasympathetic pathways typically have which pattern of fiber lengths?
- Long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers
- Short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers
- Both pre- and postganglionic fibers are long
- Both pre- and postganglionic fibers are short
Correct Answer: Long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers
Q17. Botulinum toxin causes muscle weakness by which mechanism relevant to peripheral neurotransmission?
- Preventing acetylcholine release at presynaptic terminals
- Blocking postsynaptic nicotinic receptors
- Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
- Increasing acetylcholine synthesis
Correct Answer: Preventing acetylcholine release at presynaptic terminals
Q18. Beta-1 adrenergic receptors are primarily responsible for which cardiac effect?
- Increasing heart rate and contractility
- Causing bronchoconstriction
- Vasodilation in skeletal muscle
- Stimulating glandular secretion
Correct Answer: Increasing heart rate and contractility
Q19. Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor activation on vascular smooth muscle primarily causes:
- Vasoconstriction and increased peripheral resistance
- Vasodilation and decreased blood pressure
- Reduced heart conduction velocity
- Inhibition of norepinephrine release
Correct Answer: Vasoconstriction and increased peripheral resistance
Q20. Fast, sharp pain and temperature sensations are primarily transmitted by which fiber type?
- A-delta fibers
- C fibers
- A-alpha fibers
- B fibers
Correct Answer: A-delta fibers
Q21. In the peripheral nervous system, a ganglion is defined as:
- A cluster of neuronal cell bodies outside the central nervous system
- A bundle of axons within the brain
- A synaptic cleft between neuron and muscle
- A cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavity
Correct Answer: A cluster of neuronal cell bodies outside the central nervous system
Q22. Which of the following is not part of the peripheral nervous system?
- Brain
- Spinal nerves
- Autonomic ganglia
- Cranial nerves
Correct Answer: Brain
Q23. Peripheral nerves have regenerative capacity mainly because of which supporting cell type?
- Schwann cells
- Oligodendrocytes
- Astrocytes
- Ependymal cells
Correct Answer: Schwann cells
Q24. Sympathetic outflow from the spinal cord arises primarily from which segments?
- Thoracolumbar (T1–L2)
- Craniosacral (CN III, VII, IX, X and S2–S4)
- Cervical only (C1–C8)
- Sacral only (S1–S5)
Correct Answer: Thoracolumbar (T1–L2)
Q25. Parasympathetic outflow is classically described as which distribution?
- Craniosacral (brainstem cranial nerves and S2–S4)
- Thoracolumbar (T1–L2)
- Cervicothoracic only
- Widespread via sympathetic chain
Correct Answer: Craniosacral (brainstem cranial nerves and S2–S4)
Q26. Which drug historically used as a neuromuscular blocker is a nicotinic receptor antagonist at the NMJ?
- Tubocurarine
- Atropine
- Propranolol
- Neostigmine
Correct Answer: Tubocurarine
Q27. Bronchoconstriction mediated by parasympathetic stimulation primarily involves which receptor subtype?
- Muscarinic M3 receptors
- Beta-2 adrenergic receptors
- Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors
- Nicotinic neuronal receptors
Correct Answer: Muscarinic M3 receptors
Q28. Which enzymes are primarily responsible for catecholamine (e.g., norepinephrine) metabolism?
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
- Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase
- Tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine β-hydroxylase
- Choline acetyltransferase and acetyl-CoA synthase
Correct Answer: Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
Q29. The nicotinic receptor subtype most associated with autonomic ganglia is:
- Nicotinic neuronal (Nn) receptor
- Nicotinic muscle (Nm) receptor
- Muscarinic M1 receptor
- Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor
Correct Answer: Nicotinic neuronal (Nn) receptor
Q30. Which muscarinic antagonist is commonly used to treat symptomatic bradycardia by blocking parasympathetic influence?
- Atropine
- Propranolol
- Physostigmine
- Pilocarpine
Correct Answer: Atropine
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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