MCAT Biology Question — Parasympathetic Activity
- by
- Jan 12, 2015
- MCAT Biology, MCAT Blog, MCAT Question of the Day
- Reviewed By: Liz Flagge
Which of the following will happen in response to a stimuli which generates increased parasympathetic activity?
I. Increased cardiac output
II. Vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle arterioles
III. Increased gut motility
A) II only
B) III only
C) I and II only
D) II and III only
Explanation
I. Increased cardiac output
II. Vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle arterioles
III. Increased gut motility
A) II only
B) III only
C) I and II only
D) II and III only
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated when the body is at rest. The sympathetic nervous system is the “fight or flight” response. When the body is at rest, the heart rate and contractility will decrease, thus (I) is not true. Blood will be directed away from the muscles and to the digestive system, and digestive activity will increase. Thus (II) and (III) are true, making (D) the right answer.
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