Try using a link_to_function (or the underlying onclick event). For your function, use remote_function(:url=>someplace-to-store- answers_path, :method=>:post, :submit=>'dom-id-of-section'). That should submit the 'form' via ajax.
I think that link_to_function may append "return false" to the end of the javascript that you provide, with the result that processing of the click even will stop. If that's the case then you may need to add some additional javascript to assist with the dom navigation. Another option is to stick with onclick which will allow you full control over the function; if you don't return false then you should fall through to the default processing after issuing the ajax request.
