Question

Harry is driving on the interstate highway for the first time since he obtained his license. He is nervous and wants to get off the interstate but cannot do so; his heart and pulse are racing. In this scenario, Harry's physiological responses can be best attributed to his _____ nervous system.

A) sympathetic
B) parasympathetic
C) somatic
D) central

Answer 1

The correct answer is letter A: sympathetic nervous system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The autonomic nervous system is composed of the parasympathetic and the sympatetic systems. The parasympathetic is responsible for stimulates “rest-and-digest” activities, which occur during body rest, such as slowing heart rate and lowering blood pressure, adrenaline and blood sugar. The sympathetic responses for “fight-flight-or-freeze” situations. The sympathetic system acts directly (via impulses transmitted by the sympathetic nervous system) and indirectly (via catecholamines) on the cardiovascular system, leading to accelerate heartbeat. Thus, Harry’s physiological responses can be attributed to his sympathetic nervous system.