The peripheral nervous system (PNS) acts as the crucial communication network connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body. For B.Pharm students, understanding the PNS, particularly its autonomic division (sympathetic and parasympathetic), is fundamental to pharmacology. This system is the target for a vast number of drugs, and its study is essential for comprehending drug actions, side effects, and therapeutic outcomes.
- The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is composed of the:
- Brain and spinal cord
- Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
- Cerebrum and cerebellum
- Central and autonomic nervous systems
- Which division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response?
- Somatic
- Central
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
- The “rest-and-digest” response is the primary function of which nervous system division?
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
- Somatic
- Central
- How many pairs of cranial nerves are there in the human body?
- 10
- 12
- 24
- 31
- How many pairs of spinal nerves originate from the spinal cord?
- 12
- 21
- 31
- 41
- Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by postganglionic sympathetic neurons?
- Acetylcholine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
- The vagus nerve is which cranial nerve number?
- V
- VII
- X
- XII
- The somatic nervous system controls which type of activity?
- Involuntary functions
- Glandular secretions
- Voluntary skeletal muscle movements
- Heart rate
- Which division of the autonomic nervous system would cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure?
- Parasympathetic
- Sympathetic
- Somatic
- Sensory
- The parasympathetic nervous system primarily uses which neurotransmitter?
- Epinephrine
- Norepinephrine
- Acetylcholine
- GABA
- Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?
- Optic (II)
- Olfactory (I)
- Trigeminal (V)
- Facial (VII)
- Spinal nerves are described as “mixed nerves” because they contain:
- Only motor fibers
- Only sensory fibers
- Both sensory and motor fibers
- Only autonomic fibers
- Pupil constriction (miosis) is caused by the activation of which system?
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
- Somatic
- Central
- Which cranial nerve transmits visual information from the eyes to the brain?
- Oculomotor (III)
- Trochlear (IV)
- Optic (II)
- Abducens (VI)
- The autonomic nervous system is a subdivision of the:
- Central nervous system
- Peripheral nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system leads to:
- Increased digestion
- Dilated airways
- Increased heart rate
- Conversion of glycogen to glucose
- Which cranial nerve controls the muscles of facial expression?
- Trigeminal (V)
- Facial (VII)
- Glossopharyngeal (IX)
- Hypoglossal (XII)
- The sympathetic division ganglia are located:
- Close to the spinal cord in a chain
- Within the target organs
- In the brainstem
- Scattered throughout the body cavity
- The parasympathetic division ganglia are typically located:
- Near the vertebral column
- In the adrenal gland
- Near or within the target organs
- In the cervical region only
- Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
- Facial (VII)
- Vagus (X)
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
- Accessory (XI)
- The two main functional divisions of the PNS are the sensory (afferent) division and the ______ division.
- Motor (efferent)
- Autonomic
- Somatic
- Central
- In the sympathetic division, the preganglionic neurons are ______ and the postganglionic neurons are ______.
- long; short
- short; long
- short; short
- long; long
- Which of the following effects is NOT associated with the sympathetic nervous system?
- Increased heart rate
- Increased saliva production
- Dilation of pupils
- Increased blood flow to skeletal muscles
- The largest cranial nerve, responsible for sensation in the face and motor control of chewing muscles, is the:
- Facial (VII)
- Vagus (X)
- Trigeminal (V)
- Glossopharyngeal (IX)
- How many pairs of cervical spinal nerves are there?
- 7
- 8
- 12
- 5
- In the parasympathetic division, the preganglionic neurons are ______ and the postganglionic neurons are ______.
- long; short
- short; long
- short; short
- long; long
- The vagus nerve (X) provides the main parasympathetic supply to which organs?
- Facial muscles
- Organs of the head
- Pelvic organs
- Thoracic and abdominal organs
- An autonomic nervous system reflex is known as a:
- Somatic reflex
- Visceral reflex
- Cranial reflex
- Spinal reflex
- Which of the following is an effect of the parasympathetic nervous system?
- Decreased heart rate
- Inhibition of digestion
- Dilation of bronchioles
- Increased blood pressure
- Which cranial nerve controls the movement of the tongue?
- Trigeminal (V)
- Facial (VII)
- Glossopharyngeal (IX)
- Hypoglossal (XII)
- The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are said to be ______ because they often have opposite effects.
- synergistic
- agonistic
- antagonistic
- cooperative
- Spinal nerves emerge from the vertebral column through the:
- Foramen magnum
- Vertebral foramen
- Intervertebral foramina
- Transverse foramina
- Which term best describes the neurons of the autonomic nervous system?
- Sensory neurons
- Motor neurons
- Interneurons
- Mixed neurons
- Pupil dilation (mydriasis) is a result of ______ stimulation.
- parasympathetic
- somatic
- sensory
- sympathetic
- Which cranial nerve controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye?
- Optic (II)
- Oculomotor (III)
- Trochlear (IV)
- Abducens (VI)
- The cell bodies of somatic motor neurons are located in the:
- Peripheral ganglia
- Dorsal root ganglia
- Central nervous system
- Autonomic ganglia
- The “thoracolumbar division” is another name for the:
- Parasympathetic division
- Sympathetic division
- Somatic division
- Sensory division
- The “craniosacral division” is another name for the:
- Parasympathetic division
- Sympathetic division
- Somatic division
- Motor division
- Which cranial nerve has three major branches: the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular?
- Oculomotor (III)
- Trigeminal (V)
- Facial (VII)
- Vagus (X)
- How many pairs of thoracic spinal nerves are there?
- 8
- 10
- 12
- 14
- The adrenal medulla is stimulated by which part of the nervous system?
- Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons
- Sympathetic preganglionic neurons
- Somatic motor neurons
- Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons
- Which cranial nerve is NOT involved in controlling eye movements?
- Oculomotor (III)
- Trochlear (IV)
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
- Abducens (VI)
- The autonomic nervous system has ______ in its motor pathway.
- one neuron
- two neurons
- three neurons
- four neurons
- Which system is responsible for slowing down the heart and promoting digestion after a meal?
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
- Somatic motor
- Somatic sensory
- Which cranial nerve carries sensory information from the pharynx and taste from the posterior tongue?
- Facial (VII)
- Vagus (X)
- Glossopharyngeal (IX)
- Hypoglossal (XII)
- How many pairs of lumbar spinal nerves are there?
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- The primary effectors of the autonomic nervous system are:
- Skeletal muscles
- Cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands
- Bones and joints
- The brain and spinal cord
- Which nerve plexus supplies the diaphragm?
- Cervical plexus
- Brachial plexus
- Lumbar plexus
- Sacral plexus
- Stimulation of which division would lead to the contraction of the urinary bladder?
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
- Somatic
- Sensory
- The accessory nerve (XI) is unique because it:
- Is purely sensory
- Originates from both the brainstem and the spinal cord
- Controls the sense of taste
- Is the largest cranial nerve
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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