MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 186: Answer and Explanation

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Test Information

Question: 186

6. Acetylcholine is stimulatory to which of the following?

I. Skeletal muscle

II. Postganglionic neurons

III. Cardiac muscle

  • A. I only
  • B. I and II only
  • C. II and III only
  • D. I, II, and III

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Item I is true: acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter released by motor neurons onto skeletal muscle to cause contraction (choice C can be eliminated). Item II is true: the preganglionic neurons of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems release acetylcholine onto the postganglionic neurons, triggering action potentials (choice A can be eliminated). Item III is false: acetylcholine on cardiac muscle is inhibitory and reduces the heart rate (choice D can be eliminated and choice B is correct).

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