Important physiological effects mediated by the autonomic nervous system

organ

response

sympathetic

activity

receptor

type

parasympathetic

activity

eye pupil dilation

α₁

pupil constriction

heart increase in rate and force

β₁

decrease in rate

blood vessels constriction (most)

dilation (some)

α₁

β₂

bronchi dilation

secretion inhibited

β₂

constriction

secretion

gut reduced motility

and secretion

α₁, β₂

increased motility

and secretion

bladder urinary retention

α₁

contraction

skeletal muscle glycogen breakdown

β₂

liver glycogen breakdown

β₂