Video Transcript
The diagram provided shows how the
peripheral nervous system and its motor division are divided into their component
parts. What is the primary function of the
autonomic nervous system? (A) To transmit information to
muscles and glands that are not under voluntary or conscious control. (B) To transmit information to
muscles and glands that are under voluntary or conscious control and to mediate
reflex actions.
This question asks us specifically
about the autonomic nervous system, which is one of the two subdivisions of the
motor division, and to recall its function. To answer this question, let’s
review what we know about how the peripheral nervous system is organized. Notice that the peripheral nervous
system is subdivided two times. Each of these divisions controls a
specific set of functions in our body.
First, the peripheral nervous
system is divided into the sensory and motor division. The names of these subdivisions
detail their specific functions within the body. The sensory division contains
sensory neurons that collect information from the inside of our bodies as well as
the external environment. This sensory information is then
transmitted to the central nervous system to be integrated and processed.
The motor division contains motor
neurons, which carry impulses from the brain to muscles, glands, or organs to carry
out an appropriate response to the gathered sensory information. However, since there is a wide
variety in the motor responses to be carried out, the motor division is further
subdivided one more time.
The two subdivisions of the motor
division are the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, which differ based on the
type of motor function to be carried out. The somatic nervous system is the
subdivision that regulates voluntary and conscious activities. The somatic nervous system requires
the action of the skeletal muscles. In contrast, the autonomic nervous
system is the subdivision that regulates involuntary, subconscious, automatic
activities. The autonomic nervous system
requires the action of the smooth muscles.
Since autonomic and automatic sound
similar, we can use this as a hint to remember the functions of the autonomic
nervous system. The autonomic nervous system
functions, such as controlling heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing, and even
breathing, are done without conscious thought.
Now that we’ve discussed the
functions of the autonomic nervous system, we know that the correct answer will
describe muscles and glands that are under involuntary and subconscious control. With this information, we are now
able to answer the question. The primary function of the
autonomic nervous system is to transmit information to the muscles and glands that
are not under voluntary or conscious control.
