Explain how the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions counteract each other to maintain homeostasis

What will be an ideal response?


Sympathetic ganglia tend to produce widespread innervation when activated. This condition has been described as preparing the individual for fight-or-flight. During the fight-or-flight response, one experiences increased alertness, increased metabolic rate, decreased digestive and urinary function, an increase in respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate, and a corresponding warming of the body that can activate the sweat glands. It is the sympathetic system that stimulates the adrenal gland to release epinephrine, the hormone that causes the familiar adrenaline rush.
The parasympathetic division works to conserve energy and innervate the digestive system. When activated, it stimulates the salivary and digestive glands, decreases the metabolic rate, slows the heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and promotes the passage of material through the intestines along with absorption of nutrients by the blood.

Health & Biomechanics

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