Which division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for 'fight or flight'?

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Multiple Choice

Which division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for 'fight or flight'?

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for fight or flight. When a threat is perceived, this system kicks in to ready the body for quick action: heart rate rises, blood flow increases to muscles, airways widen, pupils dilate, and energy stores are mobilized for immediate use. This response comes from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine, with a chain of autonomic ganglia near the spinal cord; postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine onto target organs, and the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline to amplify the effect. In contrast, the parasympathetic division promotes rest and digestion, the enteric nervous system governs gut-specific activity, and the somatic system controls voluntary muscles—none of which are the primary drivers of the fight or flight response.

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for fight or flight. When a threat is perceived, this system kicks in to ready the body for quick action: heart rate rises, blood flow increases to muscles, airways widen, pupils dilate, and energy stores are mobilized for immediate use. This response comes from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine, with a chain of autonomic ganglia near the spinal cord; postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine onto target organs, and the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline to amplify the effect. In contrast, the parasympathetic division promotes rest and digestion, the enteric nervous system governs gut-specific activity, and the somatic system controls voluntary muscles—none of which are the primary drivers of the fight or flight response.

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