KATZUNG PHARMACOLOGY:
AUTONOMIC EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Adrenergic: - ANS Nerve ending that releases NE as the primary transmitter
Adrenoceptor: - ANS Receptor that binds and is activated by NE, E, dopamine and other
related drugs.
Cholinergic: - ANS Nerve ending that releases acetylcholine as the primary transmitter
Dopaminergic: - ANS Nerve ending that releases dopamine as the primary transmitter
Parasympathetic NS: - ANS Originates in the cranial nerves and sacral part of the spinal cord.
Sympathetic NS: - ANS Autonomic NS that originates in the thoracic and lumbar parts of the
spinal cord.
Parasympathetic preggl motor fibers: - ANS Originate in CN III, VII, IX, and X and in sacral
segments of S2-S4 of the spinal cord.
Sympathetic preggl fibers: - ANS Originate in the T1-T12 and L1-L5 of the spinal cord.
* preggl fibers: short
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, * postggl fibers: long
Acetylcholine: synthesis and storage - ANS Synthesized by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)
from acetyl-CoA (mitochondria) and choline (transported from cell membrane); can be inhibited
by hemicholinium. Transported to vesicles by vesicle-associated transporter (VAT); which can be
inhibited by vesamicol.
Release of Ach: - ANS Req entry of Ca via Ca channels and interacting w/ SNARE proteins.
SNARE proteins: - ANS v-SNARE: ass/w vesicles (synaptobrevin, synaptotagmin)
t-SNARE: ass/w nerve terminal membrane (SNAP25, syntaxin)
** botulinum toxins prevent the fusion of these proteins and prevent the release process.
Termination of axn of Ach: - ANS Normally terminated by metabolism to acetate and choline
by acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft.
They are recycled not excreted.
Adrenergic transmission: - ANS NE is the primary transmitter at the sympathetic post-ggl
neuron-effector cell synapses.
- Eccrine (thermoreg) sweat glands
- Vdilator sympathetic fibers in skeletal muscles
- Dopamine is a vasodilator in renal blood vessels, but epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor.
Synthesis/Storage SNS: - ANS Tyrosine is hydroxylated by tyrosine hydroxylase to DOPA.
DOPA is decarboxylated to dopamine; inside the vesicle hydroxylated to NE.
NE/Dopamine are transported and stored to vesicles by VMAT.
Metyrosine: - ANS Inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase; inhibits tyrosine conversion to DOPA.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
AUTONOMIC EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Adrenergic: - ANS Nerve ending that releases NE as the primary transmitter
Adrenoceptor: - ANS Receptor that binds and is activated by NE, E, dopamine and other
related drugs.
Cholinergic: - ANS Nerve ending that releases acetylcholine as the primary transmitter
Dopaminergic: - ANS Nerve ending that releases dopamine as the primary transmitter
Parasympathetic NS: - ANS Originates in the cranial nerves and sacral part of the spinal cord.
Sympathetic NS: - ANS Autonomic NS that originates in the thoracic and lumbar parts of the
spinal cord.
Parasympathetic preggl motor fibers: - ANS Originate in CN III, VII, IX, and X and in sacral
segments of S2-S4 of the spinal cord.
Sympathetic preggl fibers: - ANS Originate in the T1-T12 and L1-L5 of the spinal cord.
* preggl fibers: short
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, * postggl fibers: long
Acetylcholine: synthesis and storage - ANS Synthesized by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)
from acetyl-CoA (mitochondria) and choline (transported from cell membrane); can be inhibited
by hemicholinium. Transported to vesicles by vesicle-associated transporter (VAT); which can be
inhibited by vesamicol.
Release of Ach: - ANS Req entry of Ca via Ca channels and interacting w/ SNARE proteins.
SNARE proteins: - ANS v-SNARE: ass/w vesicles (synaptobrevin, synaptotagmin)
t-SNARE: ass/w nerve terminal membrane (SNAP25, syntaxin)
** botulinum toxins prevent the fusion of these proteins and prevent the release process.
Termination of axn of Ach: - ANS Normally terminated by metabolism to acetate and choline
by acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft.
They are recycled not excreted.
Adrenergic transmission: - ANS NE is the primary transmitter at the sympathetic post-ggl
neuron-effector cell synapses.
- Eccrine (thermoreg) sweat glands
- Vdilator sympathetic fibers in skeletal muscles
- Dopamine is a vasodilator in renal blood vessels, but epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor.
Synthesis/Storage SNS: - ANS Tyrosine is hydroxylated by tyrosine hydroxylase to DOPA.
DOPA is decarboxylated to dopamine; inside the vesicle hydroxylated to NE.
NE/Dopamine are transported and stored to vesicles by VMAT.
Metyrosine: - ANS Inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase; inhibits tyrosine conversion to DOPA.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
