Final answer:
The sympathetic division is part of the autonomic nervous system, activated during stress to facilitate "fight or flight" responses, affecting HR, RR, and digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sympathetic division is a component of the autonomic nervous system that is activated during “fight or flight” situations. It prepares the body to respond to a perceived threat by increasing heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR), diverting blood flow to essential muscle groups while decreasing blood flow to the digestive system. This response is characterized by widespread effects due to the extensive branching of preganglionic sympathetic neurons, which have multiple targets, allowing coordinated systemic changes to support physical activity and defense mechanisms.