Which statement about autonomic targets versus somatic targets is correct?

Which statement about autonomic targets versus somatic targets is correct?

• A. Autonomic targets are visceral smooth muscle and glands; somatic targets are skeletal muscles.
• B. Autonomic controls skeletal muscle; somatic controls cardiac muscle.
• C. Both systems target only skeletal muscle.
• D. Somatic targets are visceral organs.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the division of effector targets between the two nervous systems. The autonomic (involuntary) system regulates internal organs by innervating visceral smooth muscle and glands (and it also modulates cardiac muscle indirectly). The somatic (voluntary) system directly innervates skeletal muscles to produce intentional movement. So, describing autonomic targets as visceral smooth muscle and glands, and somatic targets as skeletal muscles, fits the fundamental difference in what each system controls. This distinction explains why autonomic control underlies things like digestion and heart rate without conscious effort, while somatic control drives deliberate limb and body movements.

The key idea is the division of effector targets between the two nervous systems. The autonomic (involuntary) system regulates internal organs by innervating visceral smooth muscle and glands (and it also modulates cardiac muscle indirectly). The somatic (voluntary) system directly innervates skeletal muscles to produce intentional movement. So, describing autonomic targets as visceral smooth muscle and glands, and somatic targets as skeletal muscles, fits the fundamental difference in what each system controls. This distinction explains why autonomic control underlies things like digestion and heart rate without conscious effort, while somatic control drives deliberate limb and body movements.