0% of candidates passed this question.

Generally there was a lack of detailed knowledge, incorrect facts and at times confusion between the sympathetic and  parasympathetic nervous system functions. A lack of anatomical detail was common (the origin of preganglionic cell bodies was not described clearly, and parasympathetic ganglia were not often named and located). It was expected an answer would mention the central role of Acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter at preganglionic and post ganglionic neurons in the parasympathetic system. Target organs were identified correctly but the exact action was not specified e.g. pupillary constriction vs. dilatation, GI sphincter/bladder – contraction vs. relaxation. Detail concerning receptor physiology was not required.

This is a question covering a core topic that no candidate passed. An overview of the arrangement and function of the autonomic nervous system is provided in several core physiology texts, including Ganong and Guyton.