Question

The autonomic system has two divisions called
A. CNS and PNS
B. Somatic and skeletal systems
C. Efferent and afferent systems
D. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Answer 1

Hint: Nervous system is divided into 3 parts: central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system can be defined as a control system that acts as a large unconscious system that regulates the major bodily functions, for example, the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, sexual arousal, etc.

Complete answer: Central nervous system or CNS is made up of two parts- the brain and the spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system or PNS is made up of afferent and efferent nerves.
The autonomic nervous system is made up of sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Additional information: 1. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems have antagonistic effects on each other. It means they work against each other.
For example, the sympathetic system helps to increase the heart rate but the parasympathetic system helps to reduce the heart rate.
2. Sympathetic nerves release a neurotransmitter called nor-epinephrine from the end of synaptic knobs.
3. Parasympathetic nerves release a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine from the end of the synaptic knob.
4. These neurotransmitters help to increase or reduce the heart rate in the case of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system respectively.
5. Some other functions that are controlled by the autonomic nervous system are regulation of digestion, movement of the pupil of the eye, urination, sexual arousal, regulation of respiratory rate, etc.

So, the correct answer is option D. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Note: The sympathetic nervous system activates in response to stress and controls ‘fight or flight’ responses of the body.
The parasympathetic nervous system activates due to calmness controls the ‘rest and digest’ responses. It is also referred to as the ‘feed and breed’ system.