Question

Exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are controlled by the

A) central nervous system.
B) autonomic nervous system.
C) somatic motor division.
D) peripheral nervous system.
E) enteric nervous system.

Answer 1

Exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), not the central nervous system (CNS), somatic motor division, peripheral nervous system (PNS), or the enteric nervous system (ENS).

Step-by-step explanation:

The exocrine glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS operates largely without conscious control, managing functions that affect cardiac or smooth muscle tissue, as well as causing glands to produce secretions. It includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which often have opposing effects, and functions to regulate involuntary responses such as those related to homeostasis.

The somatic nervous system (SNS), in contrast, is responsible for voluntary responses and the movement of skeletal muscles. Although the ANS is part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes all nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, it is functionally distinct from the SNS. An interesting note is that the enteric nervous system (ENS) controls smooth muscle and glandular tissue in the digestive system and can be seen as part of the autonomic system, further demonstrating the complexity and integration of our nervous system.