Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System

Which of the following is a primary function of the somatic nervous system (SNS)?

• Regulating internal organ function

• Controlling involuntary muscle movements

• Carrying sensory and motor information between the CNS and skeletal muscles

• Releasing hormones to prepare the body for stress

Sensory information that travels toward the central nervous system (CNS) is called:

• Efferent information

• Afferent information

• Motor information

• Reflexive information

Which type of muscle is controlled by the somatic nervous system?

• Smooth muscle

• Skeletal muscle

• Cardiac muscle

• Visceral muscle

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) primarily regulates:

• Reflex movements

• Skeletal muscle contractions

• The activity of visceral muscles, organs, and glands

• Voluntary movements

What is the main difference between the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system?

• The somatic nervous system controls involuntary actions, while the autonomic nervous system controls voluntary actions

• The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscles, while the autonomic nervous system regulates internal organs

• The somatic nervous system processes emotions, while the autonomic nervous system processes sensory input

• The somatic nervous system is part of the brain, while the autonomic nervous system is part of the spinal cord

Which division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for vigorous activity in stressful situations?

• Parasympathetic nervous system

• Somatic nervous system

• Enteric nervous system

• Sympathetic nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for:

• Increasing heart rate during stress

• Decreasing heart rate and restoring the body to a calm state

• Preparing the body for emergency situations

• Activating skeletal muscle movement

Which part of the nervous system regulates digestion and gut movement independently of the brain?

• Sympathetic nervous system

• Enteric nervous system

• Parasympathetic nervous system

• Somatic nervous system

Which of the following is an example of the autonomic nervous system in action?

• Secreting digetive enzymes

• Moving your hand away from a hot stove

• Your heart beating faster when you are frightened

• Pressing buttons on your phone

Which of the following is NOT controlled by the somatic nervous system?

• Walking to school

• Chewing food

• Writing with a pen

• Increasing sweat production in response to heat