Question

There are two nuclei in the regulatory center for the cardiac (heart) system: the cardioacceleratory center and the cardioinhibitory center . These are vital reflexes for maintaining heart rate. The action potentials generated have differing effects on heart rate. Given this information, answer the following questions:

Where in the brain would you find the cardiac centers? (give one of the four major regions)

What part of a neuron would be in a center? In which autonomic division are pathways descending from the cardioacceleratory center?

In which autonomic division are pathways descending from the cardioinhibitory center?

Which center is part of a pathway that contains only cholinergic neurons?

Which center is part of a pathway that contains a cholinergic and adrenergic neuron?

Which center would be part of a neuron pathway that would have cell bodies in the lateral horn of the spinal cord and a synapse in the sympathetic trunk ganglion?

From which center would action potentials travel through a cranial nerve? Which cranial nerve number?

Answer 1

1. Medulla Oblongata. The cardiac centers are part of human brain that are  responsible for regulation of rate at which the heart beats through neural and endocrine systems.
2. Cell Body. The region of neuron containing nucleus is called cell body, soma, or perikaryon. It is considered as metabolic center of neuron. Sympathetic division. Cardioacceleratory center in the medulla give rise to cardiac sympathetic nerves that release norepinephrine that increases the rate and force of the heartbeat.
3. Parasympathetic division. Cardioinhibitory center in the medulla oblongata gives rise to impulses that decrease the heart rate by way of the vagus (parasympathetic) nerves.
4. Cardioinhibitory center. Parasympathetic division is considered almost entirely cholinergic.