1. You have been to an ‘eat all you can’ buffet and have consumed large amounts of food. After returning home, you recline on the couch to watch television. Which division of the nervous system will be handling your body’s after-dinner activities? List several organs involved, the major nerve supply to each organ, and the effects of the nervous system on their functions.
The Parasympathetic nervous system or division will be handling the body’s after dinner activities such as digestion rest and relaxation. This nerve division decreases respiration and heart rate and later on increases digestion.
|
Organ |
Major nerve supply |
Function |
|
Heart |
Vagus nerve (X) |
Decreases heart rate due to the hormone acetylcholine |
|
Salivary glands |
Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) |
Stimulates secretion and flow of saliva |
|
Stomach |
Vagus nerve (X) |
Increased motility, produces enzymes and acids in order to digest foods |
|
Pancreas |
Vagus nerve (X) |
Increases in enzyme secretion |
|
Gallbladder |
Vagus nerve (X) |
Bile is release in order to help in digestion |
|
Intestines |
Vagus nerve (X) |
Increases utility and tone, relaxation of sphincters |
|
Rectum |
Pelvic Splanchnic nerve |
Stores solid waste until defecation |
2. Your friend is driving home from work, listening to her favorite music, when suddenly a bicycle came out of nowhere. She manages to swerve avoiding hitting the bicycle. She continued to drive home but she noticed that her heart is beating fast, she had goose bumps, and her heads were sweaty. How would you explain these effects?
In this case, my friend just went through the body’s “Fight or flight” reaction. This reaction is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. She started off in a relaxed state and when the bicycle appeared unexpectedly causing her to swerve, it immediately triggered the reaction causing her heart rate to increase, muscles tend to tense and adrenaline was released. This is the way our body reacts to situations unexpected or situations that may frighten an individual.
References:
Public Speaking and the Fight or Flight Response. (2022, April 25). Stephenson Coaching. Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https://stephensoncoaching.com/public-speaking-and-the-fight-or-flight-response/