How are preganglionic and postganglionic neurons different in the sympathetic versus the parasympathetic system?

How are preganglionic and postganglionic neurons different in the sympathetic versus the parasympathetic system?

Figure 16.26. In the autonomic nervous system, a preganglionic neuron of the CNS synapses with a postganglionic neuron of the PNS. The postganglionic neuron, in turn, acts on a target organ. Autonomic responses are mediated by the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems, which are antagonistic to one another.

Which division sympathetic or parasympathetic has longer Preganglionic axons Why?

Why? Most parasympathetic preganglionic axons are longer than most sympathetic preganglionic axons because most parasympathetic ganglia are in the walls of visceral organs, but most sympathetic ganglia are close to the spinal cord in the sympathetic trunk.

Does sympathetic division have short Preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers?

Parasympathetic ganglia are located in or near the effector organs giving them long preganglionic fibers and short postganglionic fiber. Sympathetic ganglia are located in the paravertebral chain, thus they have short preganglionic fibers and long postganglionic fibers.

Why are preganglionic fibers myelinated?

All preganglionic fibers of the ANS are cholinergic —meaning they have acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter, and are myelinated for faster transmission.

In which autonomic division are postganglionic neurons typically shorter than preganglionic neurons?

parasympathetic postganglionic neurons are generally shorter than preganglionic neurons.

Are sympathetic preganglionic neurons long or short?

Sympathetic preganglionic fibers tend to be shorter than parasympathetic preganglionic fibers because sympathetic ganglia are often closer to the spinal cord than are the parasympathetic ganglia. Another major difference between the two ANS (autonomic nervous systems) is divergence.

Are sympathetic postganglionic neurons long or short?

Compared with the preganglionic fibers, postganglionic sympathetic fibers are long because of the relatively greater distance from the ganglion to the target effector. These fibers are unmyelinated. (Note that the term “postganglionic neuron” may be used to describe the projection from a ganglion to the target.

How does the sympathetic division compared to the parasympathetic division?

The parasympathetic division functions with actions that do not require immediate reaction. The sympathetic division initiates the fight-or-flight response and the parasympathetic initiates the rest-and-digest or feed-and-breed responses.

Why are the sympathetic preganglionic neurons shorter than the parasympathetic preganglionic neurons?

Sympathetic preganglionic fibers tend to be shorter than parasympathetic preganglionic fibers because sympathetic ganglia are often closer to the spinal cord than are the parasympathetic ganglia.

Are parasympathetic preganglionic neurons myelinated?

The site of synapse formation and this divergence for both the sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons does, however, occur within ganglia situated within the peripheral nervous system.

Are sympathetic postganglionic neurons myelinated?

The postganglionic sympathetic neurons are unmyelinated and thus appear gray. They form the Gray rami. These travel directly back to the spinal nerve and then travel with the spinal nerve to the effector organ.