Which of the following situations is most likely to involve the action of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Question

Multiple Choice
Andre's finger accidentally grazes the hot iron; he Immediately jerks his hand away.
After mistaking her roommate for a thief, Callum relaxes after having a glass of water.
Walking toward his car in a deserted parking lot one night, Van is surprised by a stranger appearing from nowhere.
Peyton is preparing to go to bed and is alarmed to see a stranger at her window.

Answer 1

The situation most likely to involve the action of the parasympathetic nervous system is:

After mistaking her roommate for a thief, Callum relaxes after having a glass of water.

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" activities and helps the body to relax and conserve energy after a stressor. In this situation, Callum's relaxation after drinking water indicates a return to a calmer state, consistent with parasympathetic activation.

The other situations involve responses associated with the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, including immediate reactions to threats and stressors.