Chapter 14, Problem 1CYU

Name the three types of effectors of the autonomic nervous system.

Summary Introduction

To review:

The three effectors of the autonomic nervous system.

Introduction:

The nervous system is composed of a complex network of neurons, also known as nerve cells. The nervous system also includes the brain, the sensory organs, and the spinal cord. Neurons interconnect these organs. There are two divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), namely, thesomatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Explanation of Solution

The somatic nervous system has sensory nerves (also called afferent nerves) and motor nerves (also called efferent nerves). The voluntary movements of the body parts are controlled and coordinated by the somatic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is composed of the efferent nerves, the afferent nerves, and the motor nerves.

The functions of the internal organs are controlled via the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic system controls the involuntary movements. The three effectors of autonomic nervous system are as follows:

movement of the smooth muscles,

the cardiac muscles and the activities of the glands, and

the heart.

Effectors are specific parts of the body that produce a response. So, the cardiac muscles, glands, and the smooth muscles act as effectors to the autonomic nervous system.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that the three effectors of the ANS are the cardiac muscles, thesmooth muscles, and the glands. Skeletal muscles are stimulated by somatic nervous system, whereas cardiac and smooth muscles are innervated by the autonomic nervous system.