Part 5: Autonomic Nervous System (ANS – Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic, Functions, Differences)
Part 5 (25 MCQs) on Autonomic Nervous System – Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic, Functions, Differences from Chapter 21: Neural Control and Coordination (NCERT Class 11 + NEET UG).
Part 5: Autonomic Nervous System (ANS – Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic, Functions, Differences)
Q1. The autonomic nervous system controls:
a) Voluntary skeletal muscles
b) Involuntary activities of smooth muscles, glands, heart
c) Reflex arcs only
d) Only brain functions
Answer: b) Involuntary activities of smooth muscles, glands, heart
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) ANS = involuntary control (digestion, BP, heartbeat).
Q2. Sympathetic nervous system is also called:
a) Craniosacral outflow
b) Thoracolumbar outflow
c) Parasympathetic system
d) Reflex nervous system
Answer: b) Thoracolumbar outflow
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic nerves arise from thoracic + lumbar regions.
Q3. Parasympathetic nervous system is also called:
a) Thoracolumbar outflow
b) Craniosacral outflow
c) Somatic nervous system
d) Enteric nervous system
Answer: b) Craniosacral outflow
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic arises from cranial nerves & sacral spinal nerves.
Q4. Which of the following is the neurotransmitter of sympathetic postganglionic fibers?
a) Acetylcholine
b) Noradrenaline
c) Dopamine
d) Serotonin
Answer: b) Noradrenaline
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic postganglionic release norepinephrine (except sweat glands).
Q5. Parasympathetic postganglionic fibers release:
a) Acetylcholine
b) Noradrenaline
c) Adrenaline
d) Dopamine
Answer: a) Acetylcholine
Explanation:
- ✅ (a) Parasympathetic → acetylcholine.
Q6. Which system prepares the body for “fight or flight”?
a) Parasympathetic
b) Sympathetic
c) Somatic
d) Reflex
Answer: b) Sympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic → increases HR, dilates pupils, reduces digestion.
Q7. Which system promotes “rest and digest”?
a) Somatic
b) Sympathetic
c) Parasympathetic
d) Reflex
Answer: c) Parasympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (c) Parasympathetic → lowers HR, promotes digestion.
Q8. Which of the following is NOT an effect of sympathetic stimulation?
a) Pupil dilation
b) Increased heartbeat
c) Decreased digestion
d) Saliva secretion increase
Answer: d) Saliva secretion increase
Explanation:
- ✅ (d) Parasympathetic increases saliva, sympathetic decreases.
Q9. Which of the following is NOT an effect of parasympathetic stimulation?
a) Increased peristalsis
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Pupil dilation
d) Saliva secretion increase
Answer: c) Pupil dilation
Explanation:
- ✅ (c) Parasympathetic causes pupil constriction, not dilation.
Q10. Which gland is directly stimulated by sympathetic preganglionic neurons?
a) Thyroid gland
b) Adrenal medulla
c) Pancreas
d) Pituitary
Answer: b) Adrenal medulla
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline & noradrenaline into blood.
Q11. The sympathetic system generally:
a) Increases body activities
b) Decreases body activities
c) Both increase & decrease equally
d) Only controls digestion
Answer: a) Increases body activities
Explanation:
- ✅ (a) Sympathetic = excitatory, prepares body for action.
Q12. The parasympathetic system generally:
a) Activates fight-or-flight
b) Conserves energy and restores functions
c) Increases stress hormones
d) Dilates pupils
Answer: b) Conserves energy and restores functions
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic → energy conservation, homeostasis.
Q13. Which nerve carries major parasympathetic fibers to thoracic & abdominal organs?
a) Optic nerve
b) Vagus nerve
c) Facial nerve
d) Hypoglossal nerve
Answer: b) Vagus nerve
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) = parasympathetic control.
Q14. Which division of ANS dilates bronchioles?
a) Parasympathetic
b) Sympathetic
c) Somatic
d) None
Answer: b) Sympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic → bronchodilation for more O₂ intake.
Q15. Which division of ANS constricts bronchioles?
a) Sympathetic
b) Parasympathetic
c) Somatic
d) Reflex
Answer: b) Parasympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic → bronchoconstriction.
Q16. Sympathetic stimulation of blood vessels causes:
a) Dilation
b) Constriction
c) No change
d) Leakage
Answer: b) Constriction
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic → vasoconstriction (except in skeletal muscles).
Q17. Parasympathetic stimulation of bladder results in:
a) Relaxation
b) Contraction
c) Storage of urine
d) No effect
Answer: b) Contraction
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic → contraction → urination.
Q18. Sympathetic stimulation of bladder results in:
a) Contraction
b) Relaxation
c) Frequent urination
d) Secretion of hormones
Answer: b) Relaxation
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic → relaxes bladder, prevents urination.
Q19. Which ANS division dilates pupils (mydriasis)?
a) Parasympathetic
b) Sympathetic
c) Somatic
d) Reflex
Answer: b) Sympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic → dilates pupils to enhance vision.
Q20. Which ANS division constricts pupils (miosis)?
a) Sympathetic
b) Parasympathetic
c) Somatic
d) Reflex
Answer: b) Parasympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic → constricts pupils under rest.
Q21. Which of the following is an adrenergic response?
a) Pupil constriction
b) Pupil dilation
c) Saliva secretion
d) Increased digestion
Answer: b) Pupil dilation
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Adrenergic = sympathetic (noradrenaline → dilation).
Q22. The main function of parasympathetic nervous system is:
a) Energy consumption
b) Energy conservation
c) Stress response
d) Emergency control
Answer: b) Energy conservation
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic → rest and digest.
Q23. Which is faster in action, sympathetic or parasympathetic?
a) Sympathetic
b) Parasympathetic
c) Both equal
d) None
Answer: a) Sympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (a) Sympathetic action is rapid (fight-or-flight).
Q24. Which system increases peristalsis in intestine?
a) Sympathetic
b) Parasympathetic
c) Somatic
d) Reflex
Answer: b) Parasympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Parasympathetic → enhances digestion.
Q25. Which system inhibits peristalsis in intestine?
a) Parasympathetic
b) Sympathetic
c) Somatic
d) Reflex
Answer: b) Sympathetic
Explanation:
- ✅ (b) Sympathetic → reduces digestion during stress.
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