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Excitable Cells Lecture 8

The document provides an overview of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), detailing the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in terms of anatomy, function, and neurotransmission. It explains the roles of acetylcholine and biogenic amines in the ANS, including their effects on target organs and the types of receptors involved. Additionally, it covers the synthesis and metabolism of acetylcholine and catecholamines, highlighting their significance in maintaining homeostasis and the body's response to stress.

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lisabeth2324
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4 views

Excitable Cells Lecture 8

The document provides an overview of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), detailing the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in terms of anatomy, function, and neurotransmission. It explains the roles of acetylcholine and biogenic amines in the ANS, including their effects on target organs and the types of receptors involved. Additionally, it covers the synthesis and metabolism of acetylcholine and catecholamines, highlighting their significance in maintaining homeostasis and the body's response to stress.

Uploaded by

lisabeth2324
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Autonomic nervous system

By

Ms Muzanenhamo M.C
Objectives
• Distinguish between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous
systems based on anatomy, function and neurotransmission
• Describe the roles of Ach and biogenic amines in the ANS and their
effects on target organs
• Identify the different receptors for Ach and biogenic amines in the
ANS and the target organs
Overview of
the Nervous
System
Divisions of the ANS
Some definitions
• Nerve
• Are axonal processes of neurons together with their covering sheaths
• Many nerve fibres travelling together in the same general direction in the PNS (no
nerves in the CNS)
• Pathway/tract
• Group of fibres travelling together in the CNS is a pathway/tract
• Ganglia
• A group of cell bodies of neurons having similar functions clustered together in the PNS
• Nuclei
• A group of cell bodies of neurons having similar functions clustered together in the CNS
ANS
• The efferent part of the ANS is made up of two neurons: preganglionic and
postganglionic neurons
• The cell bodies of the preganglionic neurons are located in the CNS (brain and
spinal cord). Their axons synapse the postganglionic neurons whose cell bodies
are located in the autonomic ganglia
Differences between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
• Anatomically
• Named because it lies besides the sympathetic
• Has a craniosacral outflow from the CNS (cranial III -
oculumotor, VII facial, IX -glossopharyngeal, X-vagus)
(Sacral-S2 to S4)
• Parasympathetic ganglia lie within organs
• It has long preganglionic neurons and short postganglionic
neurons

• The sympathetic nervous system leave the spinal cord from


the thoracic and lumbar divisions of the spinal cord -
thoracolumbar outflow (T1 to L2)
• Sympathetic ganglia lie close to the spinal cord (sympathetic
trunk), some lie far: celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric
ganglia
• It has short preganglionic and long postganglionic neurons
Differences between parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous
systems
• Chemically
• Preganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic system release acetylcholine and the same
for sympathetic nervous system
• Postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic release acetylcholine (referred to as the
cholinergic system) whereas those for the sympathetic release noradrenaline
(noradrenergic system)
• Functional difference - overall, the ANS helps to maintain homeostasis
• The parasympathetic is regarded as the “economizer” or the anabolic nervous system
• It functions to conserve the body’s resources and restore homeostasis.
• The sympathetic is regarded as the energizer or the catabolic nervous system. It mediates
the body’s response to stress which is characterized by the “fight, flight or fright
reaction”
• most organs have dual innervation
Neurotransmitters in ANS
• .
• Chemical transmitter: all autonomic neurons are either cholinergic or
adrenergic
• Cholinergic neurons - use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter
• includes all preganglionic neurons (both sympathetic & parasympathetic
divisions), all parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, plus the
sympathetic postganglionic neurons that supply the sweat glands
• Adrenergic neurons - used norepinephrine (also called noradrenalin) as a
neurotransmitter
• includes all postganglionic sympathetic neurons (except those that go to
the sweat glands)
Synthesis and Fate of Acetylcholine (ACh)
• ACh synthesized from acetyl CoA and
choline with choline acetyl transferase as
the enzyme in the cytosol of motor neuron
• Stored in vesicles in axon terminal
• Upon release short-time effect and is quickly
broken down (hydrolysis) by
acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
• Choline transported back into axon terminal
for reuse (active transport)
• Some is also reduced by simple diffusion
ACh Metabolism
• ACh-bound is in equilibrium with free ACh
• Acetylcholinesterase enzyme breaks down free Ach to choline and acetate
• Less free ACh, less ACh available for binding
• Freeing the receptor sites, closes the ion channels
• Post synaptic cell returns to its resting state
ACh
• Cholinergic receptors: two types: muscarinic.
• Nicotinic: responsive to the drug nicotine
• exist in ganglia, skeletal muscle motor end plate & , in the brain for cognitive function and
behaviour.
• These receptors are ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic receptors)
• Muscarinic: responsive to the mushroom poison muscarine
• at targets of parasympathetic nerve endings (effector organs) and sweat glands. These are
metabotropic receptors.
• Sympathetic postganglionic neurons on blood vessels in skeletal muscles (vasodilation) have
muscarinic receptors

• Diseases states
• Degeneration of associated neurons in the brain is associated with Alzheimer’s
Biogenic Amines/Catecholamines
(Dopamine/Norepinephrine/Epineprine)
• Share a catechol ring (catecholamines) and an amine group
• Formed from the amino acid tyrosine
Tyrosine L-Dopa Dopamine Norepinephrine
Tyrosine hydroxylase

Epinephrine

• Metabolism/Deactivation
• Concentration in synaptic cleft declines by active reuptake into axon terminal
• Also broken down by the enzymes monoamine oxidase (MAO), and Catechol-O-
methyltransferase
• MAO inhibitors increase amount of norepinephrine in the synapse (used in the
treatment of mood)
Catecholamines
• Modulation
• Release from pre-synaptic membrane is strongly modulated by presynaptic receptors (autoreceptors)

• Receptors
• Alpha-adrenergic (A1 and A2 subclasses)
• Act presynaptically to inhibit NT release (α2)
• Act postsynaptically to stimulate or inhibit K channels (α1)
• Beta adrenergic (β1,β2,β3 subclasses)
• Act via stimulatory G proteins
• All receptors are metabotropic (acting through second messengers)

• Noradrenalin primarily alpha stimulator


• Adrenaline: alpha and beta equally well.
Sympathetic/Parasympathetic
Effector Organ Receptor Type Sympathetic Parasympathetic
Eye
•Iris Muscle α1 Contracts redial muscle Contracts sphincter
(widens pupil) (circular muscles)
Contracts (more
•Ciliary Muscles β2 Relaxes (flattens lens for far convex for near )
vision)

Heart
•SA Node β1 Increases HR Decreases HR
•Atria/Ventricles β1,2 Increases contractility Decreases
•AV node β1,2 Increases conduction Decreases
velocity
Arterioles
•Coronary α1,2 Constriction -
β1 Dilates -
•Skin α1,2 Constriction
•Skeletal Muscle β2 (muscarinic ) Dilation
•Abdominal Viscera α1 Constriction
Sympathetic/Parasympathetic
Effector Organ Receptor Type Sympathetic Parasympathetic
Veins α1,2 Constricts
β2 Dilates
Bronchial Smooth β2 Relaxes Contracts
Muscle
Salivary Glands α1 Stimulates watery Stimulates watery
β secretion secretion
Stimulates enzyme
secretion
Stomach
•Motility Tone α1,2, β2 Decreases Increases
•Sphincters α1 Contracts Relaxes
Intestines α1,2, β1,2 Decreases Increases

Liver α1, β2 Glycogenolysis and


Gluconeogenesis
Exocrine/Endocrine α2, β2 Inhibits Secretion Stimulates Secretion
Pancreas
Sympathetic/Parasympathetic
Effector Organ Receptor Type Sympathetic Parasympathetic
•Bladder Wall β2 Relaxes Contracts
•Sphincter α1 Contracts Relaxes

Uterus α1 Contracts in
pregnancy
β2 Relaxes in pregnancy

Reproductive Tract α1 Ejaculation Erection


(male)
Skin
•Muscles causing α1 Contracts
hair erection
•Sweat Glands α1 (Muscarinic M2) Localised Secretion Generalised
Secretion
HOPE LEARNING DID TOOK PLACE☺

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