Chapter 15.6, Problem 18LO

Summary Introduction

To identify: The targets of the cholinergic and androgenic neurotransmitters of the autonomic nervous system.

Concept introduction: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a functional division of the peripheral nervous system. It involves two autonomic neurons in the efferent pathway, namely preganglionic neurons and postganglionic neurons. The neurotransmitters are endogenous chemicals released by the neurons and are localized in the presynaptic terminal (terminal end of the axon). These chemical signals are released into the synaptic cleft and bind to specific receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of another neuron. The neurons that are present in a specific portion of the brain can be directly or indirectly influenced by each neurotransmitter, thereby affecting the behavior.