The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, each with distinct neurotransmitters and receptor targets. This quiz is crafted according to Pharm.D. standards, especially from courses like PHA5439 and PHA5515, to assess your knowledge of ANS structure, function, and pharmacological modulation.
1. Which of the following divisions is part of the autonomic nervous system?
- A. Somatic
- B. Central
- C. Sympathetic
- D. Sensory
Correct answer: C. Sympathetic
2. The primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system is:
- A. Norepinephrine
- B. Dopamine
- C. Acetylcholine
- D. Serotonin
Correct answer: C. Acetylcholine
3. Which receptors are activated by norepinephrine in the sympathetic nervous system?
- A. Muscarinic
- B. Nicotinic
- C. Alpha and beta adrenergic receptors
- D. Histamine
Correct answer: C. Alpha and beta adrenergic receptors
4. The “fight or flight” response is mediated by the:
- A. Parasympathetic nervous system
- B. Somatic nervous system
- C. Sympathetic nervous system
- D. Enteric nervous system
Correct answer: C. Sympathetic nervous system
5. Muscarinic receptors are classified as:
- A. Ionotropic receptors
- B. Enzyme-linked receptors
- C. G protein-coupled receptors
- D. Nuclear receptors
Correct answer: C. G protein-coupled receptors
6. What is the neurotransmitter at sympathetic ganglia?
- A. Dopamine
- B. Acetylcholine
- C. Norepinephrine
- D. Epinephrine
Correct answer: B. Acetylcholine
7. Which receptor subtype is primarily responsible for heart rate increase?
- A. Alpha-1
- B. Alpha-2
- C. Beta-1
- D. Beta-2
Correct answer: C. Beta-1
8. Which receptor causes bronchodilation when activated?
- A. Alpha-1
- B. Beta-1
- C. Muscarinic M3
- D. Beta-2
Correct answer: D. Beta-2
9. Stimulation of muscarinic receptors in the GI tract leads to:
- A. Decreased motility
- B. Increased motility and secretion
- C. Vasoconstriction
- D. Smooth muscle relaxation
Correct answer: B. Increased motility and secretion
10. Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor activation leads to:
- A. Vasodilation
- B. Bronchodilation
- C. Vasoconstriction
- D. Increased heart rate
Correct answer: C. Vasoconstriction
11. Which enzyme breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft?
- A. Monoamine oxidase
- B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
- C. Acetylcholinesterase
- D. Tyrosine hydroxylase
Correct answer: C. Acetylcholinesterase
12. Which structure is involved in controlling autonomic functions like heart rate?
- A. Cerebellum
- B. Medulla oblongata
- C. Frontal lobe
- D. Thalamus
Correct answer: B. Medulla oblongata
13. What is the main neurotransmitter of postganglionic sympathetic neurons (except sweat glands)?
- A. Serotonin
- B. Dopamine
- C. Norepinephrine
- D. Acetylcholine
Correct answer: C. Norepinephrine
14. Nicotinic receptors are found at:
- A. All parasympathetic effector sites
- B. Sympathetic postganglionic terminals
- C. Autonomic ganglia and neuromuscular junctions
- D. Brain stem only
Correct answer: C. Autonomic ganglia and neuromuscular junctions
15. What is the effect of beta-1 adrenergic receptor activation on the heart?
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Negative inotropic effect
- C. Tachycardia and increased contractility
- D. Vasodilation
Correct answer: C. Tachycardia and increased contractility
16. Which adrenergic receptor causes decreased norepinephrine release via negative feedback?
- A. Alpha-1
- B. Beta-1
- C. Alpha-2
- D. Beta-2
Correct answer: C. Alpha-2
17. Activation of parasympathetic nerves to the eye causes:
- A. Pupil dilation
- B. Pupil constriction
- C. Eyelid elevation
- D. Lens flattening
Correct answer: B. Pupil constriction
18. Which of the following drugs is a muscarinic receptor antagonist?
- A. Bethanechol
- B. Pilocarpine
- C. Atropine
- D. Neostigmine
Correct answer: C. Atropine
19. Sympathetic stimulation of sweat glands releases:
- A. Dopamine
- B. Acetylcholine
- C. Norepinephrine
- D. Serotonin
Correct answer: B. Acetylcholine
20. Which division of the ANS promotes digestion and urinary function?
- A. Sympathetic
- B. Parasympathetic
- C. Enteric
- D. Central
Correct answer: B. Parasympathetic
21. Which enzyme is responsible for norepinephrine breakdown in neurons?
- A. MAO (Monoamine oxidase)
- B. COMT
- C. Cholinesterase
- D. Acetylcholinesterase
Correct answer: A. MAO (Monoamine oxidase)
22. What drug class mimics the action of norepinephrine and epinephrine?
- A. Cholinomimetics
- B. Adrenergic agonists
- C. Anticholinergics
- D. Beta-blockers
Correct answer: B. Adrenergic agonists
23. Which cranial nerve carries the majority of parasympathetic output?
- A. CN III
- B. CN V
- C. CN VII
- D. CN X (Vagus nerve)
Correct answer: D. CN X (Vagus nerve)
24. Parasympathomimetics are also known as:
- A. Adrenergic antagonists
- B. Cholinergic agonists
- C. Antimuscarinics
- D. Beta agonists
Correct answer: B. Cholinergic agonists
25. Beta-2 agonists are commonly used in:
- A. Hypertension
- B. Asthma and COPD
- C. Glaucoma
- D. Arrhythmias
Correct answer: B. Asthma and COPD
26. Sympatholytics do what to the sympathetic nervous system?
- A. Stimulate it
- B. Block or suppress it
- C. Replace neurotransmitters
- D. Have no effect
Correct answer: B. Block or suppress it
27. Parasympatholytics would cause which of the following effects?
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Salivation
- C. Mydriasis (pupil dilation)
- D. Diarrhea
Correct answer: C. Mydriasis (pupil dilation)
28. The drug neostigmine enhances cholinergic transmission by:
- A. Blocking nicotinic receptors
- B. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
- C. Stimulating beta receptors
- D. Enhancing dopamine release
Correct answer: B. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase
29. Which of the following is a beta-blocker?
- A. Albuterol
- B. Atropine
- C. Propranolol
- D. Epinephrine
Correct answer: C. Propranolol
30. Alpha-2 agonists like clonidine are used to:
- A. Raise blood pressure
- B. Increase heart rate
- C. Lower blood pressure by reducing sympathetic outflow
- D. Cause bronchodilation
Correct answer: C. Lower blood pressure by reducing sympathetic outflow
31. Cholinergic crisis is caused by:
- A. Excessive sympathetic stimulation
- B. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition
- C. Alpha receptor blockade
- D. Beta agonist overdose
Correct answer: B. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition
32. Alpha-1 blockers like prazosin are used to treat:
- A. Asthma
- B. Hypertension and BPH
- C. Constipation
- D. Depression
Correct answer: B. Hypertension and BPH
33. Which of the following is NOT controlled by the autonomic nervous system?
- A. Digestion
- B. Heart rate
- C. Voluntary muscle movement
- D. Respiratory rate
Correct answer: C. Voluntary muscle movement
34. Beta-1 antagonists decrease:
- A. Bronchodilation
- B. Renin release
- C. Heart rate and contractility
- D. Insulin secretion
Correct answer: C. Heart rate and contractility
35. The enteric nervous system is sometimes called:
- A. Somatic division
- B. Second brain
- C. Spinal autonomic control
- D. Motor efferent system
Correct answer: B. Second brain
36. Which muscarinic receptor subtype is mainly found in the heart?
- A. M1
- B. M2
- C. M3
- D. M4
Correct answer: B. M2
37. Which class of drugs is commonly used to treat overactive bladder?
- A. Beta-blockers
- B. Anticholinergics (e.g., oxybutynin)
- C. ACE inhibitors
- D. Calcium channel blockers
Correct answer: B. Anticholinergics (e.g., oxybutynin)
38. The sympathetic nervous system originates from which spinal segments?
- A. Cervical
- B. Thoracolumbar
- C. Sacral
- D. Coccygeal
Correct answer: B. Thoracolumbar
39. What is the action of albuterol?
- A. Muscarinic antagonist
- B. Alpha-1 agonist
- C. Beta-2 agonist
- D. Beta-1 blocker
Correct answer: C. Beta-2 agonist
40. What neurotransmitter is used at the neuromuscular junction in the somatic nervous system?
- A. Dopamine
- B. Acetylcholine
- C. Norepinephrine
- D. Epinephrine
Correct answer: B. Acetylcholine
41. Activation of the M3 receptor causes:
- A. Smooth muscle contraction and glandular secretion
- B. Heart rate increase
- C. Vasodilation via NO
- D. Both A and C
Correct answer: D. Both A and C
42. Epinephrine stimulates which receptors?
- A. Only beta receptors
- B. Alpha and beta receptors
- C. Only alpha receptors
- D. Muscarinic receptors
Correct answer: B. Alpha and beta receptors
43. An anticholinergic effect would include:
- A. Diarrhea
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Dry mouth
- D. Increased secretions
Correct answer: C. Dry mouth
44. Parasympathetic nerves originate from which segments?
- A. Thoracolumbar
- B. Lumbosacral
- C. Craniosacral
- D. Cervical only
Correct answer: C. Craniosacral
45. What class of drugs is phenylephrine?
- A. Beta-blocker
- B. Muscarinic agonist
- C. Alpha-1 agonist
- D. Beta-2 antagonist
Correct answer: C. Alpha-1 agonist
46. Ganglia in the autonomic nervous system serve as:
- A. Final effector organs
- B. Integration centers for reflexes
- C. Relay points for synapses
- D. Motor cortex regulators
Correct answer: C. Relay points for synapses
47. An example of a non-selective beta-blocker is:
- A. Metoprolol
- B. Atenolol
- C. Propranolol
- D. Esmolol
Correct answer: C. Propranolol
48. Which receptor is involved in lipolysis stimulation?
- A. Alpha-1
- B. Beta-3
- C. M2
- D. Alpha-2
Correct answer: B. Beta-3
49. Which of the following increases salivary secretion?
- A. Sympathetic stimulation
- B. Parasympathetic stimulation
- C. Alpha-2 activation
- D. Beta-1 blockade
Correct answer: B. Parasympathetic stimulation
50. A beta-2 antagonist would most likely cause:
- A. Bronchodilation
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Bronchoconstriction
- D. Salivation
Correct answer: C. Bronchoconstriction