Which of the following statements does NOT accurately describe a characteristic of the autonomic nervous system?

a. Autonomic pathways consist of two types of motor neurons.

b. ANS stimulation of involuntary effectors is always excitatory.

c. The output (motor) portion of the ANS can be divided into two principal branches.

d. The postganglionic neuron lies entirely in the peripheral nervous system.

e. All of the choices describe characteristics of the ANS.

e. All of the choices describe characteristics of the ANS.

Explanation:

The autonomic nervous system is a regulatory and control system that influences the functions of internal organs.

Autonomic pathways consist of two types of motor neurons, these are the preganglionic neuron and the postganglionic neuron.

ANS stimulation of involuntary effectors is always excitatory. In the preganglionic autonomic neurons, and all postganglionic parasympathetic neurons are usually (cholinergic i. e receptors that bins with acetylcholine), as a result they release acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter. The cholinergic effects of preganglionic autonomic neurons are always excitatory.

The postganglionic neuron lies entirely in the peripheral nervous system. Yes!, this is so because the ganglion cells that give rise to postganglionic axons lies through the gray rami communicans and join the peripheral nerves of the peripheral nervous system.