The Sympathetic Nervous System Activation

Meghan's Reaction to a Tire Exploding

Meghan was driving home when she heard a tire explode on the car right next to her. As a result, her heart started pounding and she began to shake, and she sped up to move as far from the sound as possible.

Which Nervous System was Activated?

Answer: Sympathetic nervous system

Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system of the autonomic division prepares the body for stress or emergency conditions by generating the “fight-or-flight” responses. The sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of stress hormones from the adrenal medulla to generate the set of physiological responses. There is dilation of the pupil, an increased rate of heartbeat, and increased blood pressure. Other responses include dilation of airways and dilation of blood vessels that supply blood to skeletal muscles, heart muscles, liver, etc. Under the given emergency condition, the sympathetic nervous system of Meghan was activated to generate the fight or flight response.

Which nervous system was activated when Meghan first heard the explosion?

Sympathetic nervous system