BIOLOGY 237 UNIT 4B OBJECTIVES

The Autonomic Nervous System and The Senses

1. Compare the autonomic nervous system with the somatic nervous system in terms of structural and functional differences and similarities. Terms: pre-ganglionic neuron, post-ganglionic neuron, autonomic ganglion, somatic reflexes, autonomic reflexes.

2. Compare the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system with respect to structural origin and organization, location of ganglia, chemical transmitters, and primary actions at their autonomic effectors. Terms: craniosacral outflow, thoracolumbar outflow, intramural ganglia, cholinergic, adrenergic, norepinephrine, acetylcholine.

3. Identify the nerves and plexuses of the parasympathetic nervous system and their principle innervations and functions. Terms: oculomotor (III), facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), vagus(X), cardiac plexus, pulmonary plexus, esophageal plexus, aortic plexus, pelvic splanchnic nerves.

4. Describe the structural features of the sympathetic nervous system. Terms: lateral gray horns, white ramus communicans, lateral chain ganglion, gray ramus communicans, splanchnic nerves, celiac plexus, superior mesenteric plexus, inferior mesenteric plexus, hypogastric plexus.

5. Distinguish between the following receptors with regard to autonomic division, neurotransmitters, and principle function: cholinergic, adrenergic, nicotinic, muscarinic, alpha adrenergic, beta adrenergic.

6. Identify the actions of each autonomic division at the following autonomic effectors: iris, lacrimal gland, ciliary muscle, salivary glands, the heart, the lung, liver, gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder, genitalia, sweat glands, adrenal medulla, blood vessels.

7. Distinguish between and give examples for the following receptor types based on location: exteroceptors, visceroceptors, proprioceptors.

8. Distinguish between and give examples for the following receptor types based on stimulus: mechanoreceptors (touch, pressure, proprioception, hearing, equilibrium, pressure); chemoreceptors (taste, smell, visceroceptors); thermoreceptors (heat, cold); photoreceptors (vision); nociceptors (pain).

9. Identify the following specific receptors and correlate with the above designations: Meissner's corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, free-nerve endings (Merkel discs), Krause's end bulbs, Ruffini's corpuscles, muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs.

10. Compare the locations and functions of olfactory and gustatory cells. Describe the structure of taste buds and their location on papillae of the tongue. Identify the four (now five) basic tastes.

11. Compare the locations and functions of filiform, fungiform, and circumvallate papillae.

12. Identify the following structures of the eye and their location and function: extrinsic muscles, intrinsic muscles (ciliary muscles, iris), pupil, cornea, conjunctiva, choroid coat, ciliary body, suspensory ligament, lens, retina, rods, cones, fovea centralis, macula lutea, optic disc, blind spot, optic nerve, optic chiasma, optic tract, lacrimal gland, lacrimal duct, canal of Schlemm.

13. Explain the process of image formation and the pathway of light and nerve impulses leading to perception. Begin with light entering the pupil and culminating with nerve impulses to the visual projection area. Describe the functions of each structure along the way which affect or process the light rays or nerve impulses.

14. Describe the function of rhodopsin and the chemistry of vision. Explain the mechanism of dark adaptation and the importance of the rods and cones in daytime and color vision.

15. Identify the basis of the following visual impairments and the usual cure or other correction: myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, glaucoma.

16. Distinguish between the auditory sytem and vestibular system of the ear and identify the following structures, their locations and functions: external ear: auricle, external acoustic meatus; middle ear: tympanic membrane, ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), eustachian canal, tympanic cavity, tensor tympani, stapedius; inner ear: oval window, cochlea, organ of Corti, round window, semicircular canals, vestibule, vestibulocochlear (auditory, statoacoustic) nerve.  Terms: cerumen, 

17. Distinguish between the bony labyrinth and the membraneous labyrinth. Terms: endolymph, perilymph. 

18. Describe the mechanism of hearing and the pathway of sound waves beginning as they enter the external ear and ending with sound perception in the auditory projection area. Describe the function of each structure along the pathway which affects the mechanism.

19. Describe the mechanism of equilibrium sensation and the pathway to the central nervous system.

20. Identify the basis of the following hearing impairments and their treatment: bone (middle ear or transmission) deafness, nerve (perceptive) deafness.

21. Define sensory adaptation and identify the senses which are fast adapting or slowly adapting.