Summary: Pharmacology

Read the summary and the most important questions on Pharmacology

• 1 Lecture 7: Pharmacology of the autonomous nervous system

• 1.1 To explain the basic anatomy and functioning of the autonomous nervous system

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• What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).

• What is the primary function of the ANS?

  To regulate involuntary physiological processes such as heart rate, digestion, respiration, and pupil dilation.

• Which neurotransmitters are mainly used by the ANS?

  Acetylcholine (ACh) and Noradrenaline (NA, also called norepinephrine).

•  Describe the functional difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

   SNS = “fight or flight” (increases heart rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion).
  PNS = “rest and digest” (decreases heart rate, stimulates digestion, constricts pupils)

• What are neurons and glial cells?

  Neurons transmit action potentials; glial cells support and protect neurons.

• What is the all-or-none principle in action potentials?

   A neuron either fires a full action potential or does not fire at all.

• 1.2 To explain where and how receptors can be targeted with agonists or antagonists, and how this affects autonomous physiological regulation

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• What is an agonist in pharmacology?

   A drug that activates a receptor, mimicking the natural neurotransmitter.

•  How do beta-blockers affect the ANS?

   They are antagonists at β-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

• Where are parasympathetic receptors typically located?

  On target organs like the heart, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract, primarily muscarinic ACh receptors.

• How does receptor targeting affect autonomic physiological regulation?

   It can either stimulate or inhibit organ function, depending on the receptor type and agonist/antagonist used.