Somatic and Autonomic Divisions
MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems · Learn by Concept
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MCAT Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems › Somatic and Autonomic Divisions
Under which division of the nervous system does the "fight or flight" impulse originate?
Autonomic division
Somatic division
Sensory division
Central nervous system
Parasympathetic division
Explanation
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (all other nerves). The peripheral nervous system is then divided into the sensory and motor divisions. Then, the motor division is further divided into the somatic and autonomic divisions. The autonomic division is then divided into the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") and sympathetic ("fight or flight") divisions.
The amygdala is located in which part of the brain?
Temporal lobe
Cerebellum
Corpus collosum
Brain stem
Explanation
The amygdala is responsible for emotional memory and is part of the limbic system, which is located in the temporal lobe.
Efferent neurons carry information in what direction?
From the central nervous system (CNS) to the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
From the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to the central nervous system (CNS)
From the central nervous system (CNS) to afferent neurons
From the brain to the spinal cord
From afferent neurons to the central nervous system (CNS)
Explanation
Efferent neurons carry information from the central nervous system (CNS) to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Afferent neurons carry information from the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system.
In general, afferet neurons will relay sensory information about the environment (both internal and external), carrying these signals from the periphery to the central nervous system for integration and interpretation in the brain. Efferent neurons, in contrast, will carry motor signals or other internal stimuli to respond to the sensory information provided.