FIGURE 5-16 Controlling Biological Functions in the Autonomic Nervous System The neurotransmitter in all the neurons leaving the spinal cord is acetylcholine. Left: In the sympathetic division, ACh neurons activate autonomic norepinephrine neurons in the sympathetic ganglia. NE stimulates organs required for fight or flight and suppresses activity in organs used to rest and digest. Right: In the parasympathetic division, ACh neurons from the spinal cord activate ACh neurons in the parasympathetic ganglia near their target organs to suppress activity in organs used for fight or flight and to stimulate organs used to rest and digest. To review the ANS divisions and connections in detail, see Figure 2-30.