Question

Match the following responses to the correct function.

Apnea
Vasoconstriction
Bradycardia

A. Prevents aspiration of water and drowning
B. Redirects blood flow from limbs, skin and viscera to the heart and heart and brain.
C. Decreases blood pressure and reduces the energy consumption of the heart.
D. Increases heart rate to balance vasoconstriction.

Answer 1

Bradycardia-- C

Vasoconstriction -- B

Apnea-- A

Step-by-step explanation:

This triad of Apnea,vasocontriction and bradycardia is known as Diving reflex,seen in divers submerged in water. In this when a person dives, he holds his breath to prevent aspiration of water which is followed by vasoconstriction that leads to increase in total peripheral resistance which helps in redistributing the blood to main vital organs and limit oxygen consumption to non-essential muscle group. Bradycardia is also initiated to decrease the pre-load on heart and decreases work of heart( after load) to limits unnecessary O2 consumption.

This whole process is an innate multi-system physiological response found in divers and normal humans at times of immersion