Which division of the autonomic nervous system arouses the body and mobilizes energy in stressful situations—the fight-or-flight response?

Which division of the autonomic nervous system arouses the body and mobilizes energy in stressful situations—the fight-or-flight response?

• A. Parasympathetic Nervous System
• B. Sympathetic Nervous System
• C. Somatic Nervous System
• D. Central Nervous System

Answer: (B)

The fight-or-flight response is driven by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. This system arouses the body for action, increasing heart rate and breathing, dilating pupils to improve vision, and mobilizing energy stores like glucose for quick use. It also redirects blood flow to the muscles and away from nonessential processes, all to prepare you to confront or escape a threat. In contrast, the parasympathetic division promotes rest and energy conservation after the threat passes. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements, not automatic arousal, and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) integrates information but isn’t the automatic arousal pathway itself.

The fight-or-flight response is driven by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. This system arouses the body for action, increasing heart rate and breathing, dilating pupils to improve vision, and mobilizing energy stores like glucose for quick use. It also redirects blood flow to the muscles and away from nonessential processes, all to prepare you to confront or escape a threat.

In contrast, the parasympathetic division promotes rest and energy conservation after the threat passes. The somatic nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements, not automatic arousal, and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) integrates information but isn’t the automatic arousal pathway itself.