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Ch. 16 The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 11th EditionCh. 16 The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order FunctionsProblem 3
Chapter 16, Problem 3

The division of the ANS that prepares the body for activity and stress is the_____division.
(a) sympathetic
(b) parasympathetic
(c) craniosacral
(d) intramural
(e) somatomotor

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand that the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, each with distinct roles in regulating body functions.
Step 2: Recall that the sympathetic division is responsible for preparing the body for 'fight or flight' responses, which involve increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and energy mobilization during stress or activity.
Step 3: Recognize that the parasympathetic division generally promotes 'rest and digest' activities, helping the body conserve energy and maintain homeostasis during restful states.
Step 4: Identify that the terms 'craniosacral' and 'intramural' refer to anatomical origins or locations of parasympathetic neurons, not the division responsible for stress response.
Step 5: Conclude that the division of the ANS that prepares the body for activity and stress is the sympathetic division.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The ANS is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate. It operates automatically without conscious control and is divided into two main branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
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Somatic vs. Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic Division

The sympathetic division of the ANS prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses during stress or physical activity. It increases heart rate, dilates airways, and redirects blood flow to muscles, enabling the body to respond quickly to emergencies.
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Review of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions

Parasympathetic Division

The parasympathetic division promotes 'rest and digest' activities, conserving energy by slowing the heart rate and enhancing digestion. It counterbalances the sympathetic division to maintain homeostasis during relaxed states.
Recommended video:
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Review of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions
Related Practice
Textbook Question

The autonomic division of the nervous system directs

(a) Voluntary motor activity

(b) Conscious control of skeletal muscles

(c) Unconscious control of skeletal muscles

(d) Processes that maintain homeostasis

(e) Sensory input from the skin

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Textbook Question

A progressive disorder characterized by the loss of higher-order cerebral functions is

(a) Parkinson's disease

(b) Parasomnia

(c) Huntington's disease

(d) Alzheimer's disease

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Textbook Question

Effects produced by the parasympathetic branch of the ANS include

(a) Dilation of the pupils

(b) Increased secretion by digestive glands

(c) Dilation of respiratory passages

(d) Increased heart rate

(e) Increased breakdown of glycogen by the liver

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Textbook Question

Starting in the spinal cord, trace an action potential through the sympathetic division of the ANS until it reaches a target organ in the abdominopelvic region.

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Textbook Question

The preganglionic and ganglionic neurons are missing from the diagram below showing the distribution of sympathetic innervation. Indicate their distribution using red for the preganglionic neurons and black for the ganglionic neurons.