Autonomic nervous system question

Question

The directions say "Identify the following description as characteristic of the somatic nervous system (use S), of the autonomic nervous system (use A), or of both systems (use S,A). Insert your letter responses in the answer blanks."

 

The problem is "Has efferent motor fibers"

 

I have gone through the chapter in my book and I still do not fully understand to answer this question. I am just looking for some help.   

Answer 1

The answer to the question "Has efferent motor fibers" is both systems (S,A).

Efferent motor fibers are nerve fibers that carry motor impulses away from the central nervous system (CNS) towards muscles and glands to elicit a response. The somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) both have efferent motor fibers, but they differ in their target organs and the type of responses they elicit.

The SNS controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles, which are under conscious control, and uses efferent motor fibers to activate them. The ANS controls involuntary functions of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands, which are not under conscious control, and uses efferent motor fibers to regulate them.

Therefore, both the SNS and ANS have efferent motor fibers, making the correct answer to the question "Has efferent motor fibers" S,A (both systems).

Answer 2

The Autonomic NS is divided into sympathetic (fight of flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest). And the Somatic NS is what innervated our skeletal muscle fibers, i.e. voluntary movement, as opposed to involuntary controlled by the Autonomic NS divisions (sympathetic and parasympathetic).

The question is asking "Has efferent motor fibers"

Thus, the answer would be both (S,A) because efferent fibers brings impulses toward a target, whereas afferent refers to move away.

Hint: "A" in both afferent and away!

Answer 3

In ANS, motor neurons of the central nevous system synapse on visceral motor neurons in autonomic ganglia, and these autonomic ganglionic neurons control visxeral effectors or effecto organs.

Answer 4

Look at the Nervous System as a set of railroad tracks. Both rails must be working in order for the train to move properly. The same for the human body! 

 

one rail: Afferent : sensory: carries impulse to the brain & spinal cord

other rail: efferent: motor: carries response from brain & spinal cord to the body

 

then: human body moves 

 

Maybe this will help you "visualize" the difference  Ms. Kathy

Answer 5

The correct answer is 'both'.  Although the autonomic system works involuntarily, it still needs both efferent fibers to effect the action, as well as afferent fibers for the feedback loop.

Answer 6

This is my understanding:

 

The somatic nervous system is consisted of both efferent and afferent fibers to effect voluntary movement, so they are motor fibers.

 

The ANS has both efferent and afferent fiber to effect (mostly) involuntary movement, so they too are motor fibers.

 

I hope this helps!