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The sympathetic nervous system is most active when you are in an emergency, exercising, or an exciting or embarrassing situation. It is often referred to as the "fight-or-flight" system. It increases the heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. It also dilates the bronchioles of the lungs, and dilates the blood vessels of the skeletal muscles. This nervous system enables the body to cope rapidly with situations. The parasympathetic nervous system is active when the body is resting. It is referred to as the "resting-and-digesting" system. It conserves your body's energy by slowing the heart rate. It also promotes digestion.
sypmathetic is the "fight or flight" response and the parasympathetic is the "rest and digest" responses

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9y ago
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9y ago

The sympathetic nervous system is your 'fight or flight' mechanism. When stressed, your body needs to work harder in order to prepare to run away or to fight. It speeds up your heart rate, increases blood pressure and ensures that blood goes to all the places its needed the most eg the heart and brain. It is associated with the release of adrenaline. The parasympathetic nervous system is used more for the daily functioning of your body - it is used for digestion, sexual arousal etc. It comes into action when the body needs to slow down and will lower heart rate etc.

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15y ago

The autonomic nervous system consists of two subgroups: sympathetic and parasympathetic. Both have preganglionic origins in the spinal column, but the sympathetic branch has a synapse in the sympathetic chain before proceeding to innervate it's target while the parasympathetic neurons have cell bodies close to their targets.

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15y ago

The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is the one that uses noradrenaline as a neurotransmitter: It is used in "fight or flight" scenarios, and has an effect as such, e.g. increasing the heart rate.

The parasympathetic division is the opposite, using acetylcholine as a neutrotransmitter, it usually has a calming effect.

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13y ago

Sympathetic nervous system(SNS) consists of nerves which connect internal organs to the thoracic and lumber areas of the spinal cord.while parasympathetic nervous system(PNS) consist of nerves which connect internal organs to the 10th cranial nerve and the sacral region of the spinal cord.SNS stimulates many parts of the body for necessary action in times of danger and PSN stimulate the same organ as SN but its action is opposite to the SN

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14y ago

Sympathetic nerves and parasympathetic nerves are part of the Autonomic Nervous system. They control body functions that are involuntary and are responsible for many responses that range from 'flight-or-flight' as part of the stress response, to digestion, and even sexual arousal. The Sympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous system is sometimes called 'thoracolumbar outflow' and the parasympathetic branch is called the 'craniosacral outflow.'This refers to the regionds where the nerve roots are located along the verebral columb.

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12y ago

The Sympathetic nervous system can increase heart-rate and constricts blood vessels. The Parasympathetic nervous has the opposite effect on the same organs.

Sympathetic= fight or flight

Parasympathetic= rest and digest

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14y ago

The sympathetic division mobilizes the body during extreme situations (such as fear, exercise, or rage), whereas the parasympathetic division allows us to "unwind" and conserve energy.

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9y ago

Sympathetic stimulation inhibit motility and secretions and causes contracture of sphincters. Parasympathetic is directly opposite of this.

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Q: Explain the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic reactions as they occur in the autonomic nervous system?
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What do the nerves in the autonomic nervous system do?

The autonomic system regulates contraction and secretion within the body.It regulates/controls:cardiac and smooth musclesecretions of the exocrine glandit controls some endocrine secretionsit controls some adipose tissue


The effects of the sympathetic nervous system are essentially opposite of which nervous system?

The effects of the sympathetic nervous system are essential opposite those of the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system accelerates functions such as heart rate and breathing and the parasympathetic slows these bodily processes down. The sympathetic also inhibits digestion, whereas the parasympathetic stimulates digestion. The sympathetic nervous system produces "fight-or-flight" reactions, while the parasympathetic functions under relaxed conditions.


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Related questions

What do the nerves in the autonomic nervous system do?

The autonomic system regulates contraction and secretion within the body.It regulates/controls:cardiac and smooth musclesecretions of the exocrine glandit controls some endocrine secretionsit controls some adipose tissue


The effects of the sympathetic nervous system are essentially opposite of which nervous system?

The effects of the sympathetic nervous system are essential opposite those of the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system accelerates functions such as heart rate and breathing and the parasympathetic slows these bodily processes down. The sympathetic also inhibits digestion, whereas the parasympathetic stimulates digestion. The sympathetic nervous system produces "fight-or-flight" reactions, while the parasympathetic functions under relaxed conditions.


The autonomic nervous system contains two branches called the?

The autonomic nervous system also has two divisions: the sympathetic division and the parasympatheticdivision. These two divisions have antagonistic (opposing) effects on the internal organs they innervate (send nerves to act on).The sympathetic division, shown at the left, is the emergency system. It prepares the body to put out energy and to protect it from effects of injury. It shuts the gut down, speeds up the heart, increases blood pressure, dilates (makes bigger) the pupils of the eyes, makes more glucose (blood sugar) available in the blood for energy, etc. Cannon described these reactions as preparation for fight or flight (running away).The parasympathetic division, shown at the right, is the "housekeeping" division. It acts to replace and recover from the activities of living. Its action is (almost always) the opposite of the sympathetic division. It activates the gut for digestion, slows the heart rate, decreases the blood pressure, etc.


How do emotions influence autonomic reactions?

Emotions influence autonomic reactions through integration in the hypothalamus. Therefore, autonomic reactions are completely involuntary if one cannot keep a hold on his or her emotions.


What neurosystem is the division of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned with body functions?

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is responsible for regulation of internal organs and glands, which occurs without conscious effort. The parasympathetic system includes the normal regulation of bodily functions, while the sympathetic system is concerned more with rapid reflexive and instinctive reactions.


Emotions influence autonomic reactions primarily through integration in the?

hypothalamus


How does the sympathetic nervous system act?

The autonomic nervous system that controls the functions within the body. Some functions that it controls are the heartbeat, digestive system, and breathing. The autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system. It functions largely below the level of consciousness to control visceral functions.


These physical reactions are triggered by what system?

These physical reactions are triggered by the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration. The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic branch helps the body to relax and recover.


What are autonomic reflexes?

Autonomic Reflexes are micro movements in response to specific stimuli that are not regulated by conscious effort. Its most effective use is in the Autonomic Digital Reflexapproach in which twitches of the fingers are decoded as meaningful reactions of the body's inner state.


How does the sympathetic nervous system contribute to manintaining homeostasis?

In short, stimulation of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for emergencies: for "fight or flight". This system allows for these reactions to occur with out upsetting the balance of the human body. It increases activity that is necessary to the "fight or flight" response(ex: blood pressure, heart rate, and adrenaline) and decreases activity that is unnecessary (ex: salivation and digestion)


What parts of the nervous system controls the automatic functions of breathing and the heart rate?

Autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic division that control fight or flight reactions also monitor HR and BR, neurotransmitters=GABA inhibitor , slows it down, Adrenalin effects boths, speeding them up


What part of nervous system carry all spinal nerves?

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of neurons. This system is responsible for sending, receiving, and interpreting information from all parts of the body. The nervous system monitors and coordinates internal organ function and responds to changes in the external environment. This system can be divided into two parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Let's take a look at the peripheral nervous system.Peripheral Nervous SystemThere are two types of cells in the peripheral nervous system. These cells carry information to (sensory nervous cells) and from (motor nervous cells) the central nervous system (CNS). Cells of the sensory nervous system send information to the CNS from internal organs or from external stimuli. Motor nervous system cells carry information from the CNS to organs, muscles, and glands. The motor nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system controls skeletal muscle as well as external sensory organs such as the skin. This system is said to be voluntary because the responses can be controlled consciously. Reflex reactions of skeletal muscle however are an exception. These are involuntary reactions to external stimuli.The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary muscles, such as smooth and cardiac muscle. This system is also called the involuntary nervous system. The autonomic nervous system can further be divided into the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions.The parasympathetic division controls various functions which include inhibiting heart rate, constricting pupils, and contracting the bladder. The nerves of the sympathetic division often have an opposite effect when they are located within the same organs as parasympathetic nerves. Nerves of the sympathetic division speed up heart rate, dilate pupils, and relax the bladder. The sympathetic system is also involved in the flight or fight response. This is a response to potential danger that results in accelerated heart rate and an increase in metabolic rate.Thats all I know about a nervous system and spinal nerves hope it is helpful.