Gary is walking down the street with his dog Max. As he passes his neighbor's house a 150 lb. great dane comes charging at him. Gary's pupils dilate and his heart is racing. The dog comes to a stop in front of him and starts wagging his tail and giving him a big old wet dog kiss on his face. Gary's heart rate returns to normal and he no longer feels like he is going to pee his pants. Gary's initial reaction was caused by _____________ and his return to a homeostasis state was caused by __________________.

Question

a
sympathetic nervous system; reflexes
b
parasympathetic nervous system; somatic nervous system
c
autonomic nervous system; somatic nervous system
d
sympathetic nervous system; parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 1

Gary's initial reaction to the charging great dane, characterized by dilated pupils and a racing heart, is a response triggered by the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for "fight or flight" situations. His return to a state of calm and homeostasis, marked by a decrease in heart rate and the resolution of anxiety, is facilitated by the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes rest and digestion following a stress response.

So the correct answer is:

d sympathetic nervous system; parasympathetic nervous system.