Describe how the general functions of the sympathetic and
parasympathetic divisions of the ANS differ
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for controlling the involuntary processes within the body. This includes controlling the functions of internal organs and glands.
The cell bodies of this system form autonomic ganglia, outside the central nervous system. and the control is achieved by a two-neuron system. The neurons are named pre-ganglionic neurons and post-ganglionic neurons. The first type extends from the brainstem or spinal cord and the axon terminates in the autonomic ganglia. The post-ganglionic neurons extend from the autonomic ganglia up to the effector organ or gland. As a result, very few neurons and hence only a fractional region of the CNS is involved in controlling the ANS.
There are two types within the ANS, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The former has preganglionic neurons originating from the spinal cord while the same for the latter originates from the brain. Secondly, the autonomic ganglia for the parasympathetic nervous system lie very close to the effector organ or gland. As a result, the length of the postganglionic neuron is much shorter for the parasympathetic system, as compared to the sympathetic system.
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