Using your understanding of the structure of the autonomic nervous system, select the most reasonable explanation for the differences in length of the postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems.
A) The parasympathetic system synapses in the parasympathetic chain ganglion away from the effector and so the post-ganglionic neuron will be longer than a sympathetic post-ganglionic neuron.
B) The sympathetic system synapses in the sympathetic chain ganglion away from the effector and so the post-ganglionic neuron will be shorter than a sympathetic post-ganglionic neuron.
C) The parasympathetic system synapses close to or in the effector and so the post-ganglionic neuron will be much shorter.
D) The sympathetic system synapses close to or in the effector and so the post-ganglionic neuron will be much shorter.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic system synapses close to or in the effector and so the post-ganglionic neuron will be much shorter. This is in contrast to the sympathetic system which synapses in the sympathetic chain ganglion away from the effector and so the post-ganglionic neuron will be longer.

Using Your Understanding of the Structure of the Autonomic Nervous