Final answer:
The sympathetic nervous system's activation during acute exercise results in an increase in heart rate option (b). This is a part of the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for increased physical activity by facilitating oxygen delivery to muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response, which is activated during stressful or high-arousal situations, such as acute exercise. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it causes various physiological changes to occur in the body.
These include an increase in heart rate, an increase in breathing rate, more oxygen being inhaled and delivered to skeletal muscle, activation of sweat glands, and a decrease in digestive activity as the body prepares for action.
Based on the information provided and the various physiological responses associated with the sympathetic nervous system, the correct answer to the student's question is B. Increased heart rate. This is because, during acute exercise, the sympathetic nervous system causes the heart to beat faster to pump more blood and deliver oxygen to the muscles being used, which is essential for maintaining higher levels of activity.