Which of the following is considered an action of the sympathetic nervous system?

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Question: Which of the following is considered an action of the sympathetic nervous system?

Option 1: dilation of the pupils
- This effect is classically tied to sympathetic activation. The sympathetic system triggers the radial muscles of the iris to contract, widening the pupil (mydriasis) to allow more light in and improve vision in a fight-or-flight context.

Option 2: slowing of heart rate
- Slowing heart rate is typically a parasympathetic (vagal) effect. The parasympathetic branch reduces heart rate via the vagus nerve, which decreases cardiac conduction.

Option 3: stimulation of digestive activities
- Digestive activity is generally promoted by the parasympathetic system (rest-and-digest). The sympathetic system tends to inhibit digestion by reducing motility and secretions during stress.

Option 4: voiding the bladder
- Voiding the bladder is largely a parasympathetic function: the detrusor muscle contracts to expel urine, while sympathetic input normally preserves storage by relaxing the detrusor and constricting the internal sphincter. In the sympathetic context, voiding is inhibited rather than promoted.

Option 5: increasing the conversion of glucose to glycogen
- The conversion of glucose to glycogen (glycogenesis) is typically associated with parasympathetic activity or resting metabolic states. The sympathetic system more often promotes glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) to mobilize glucose during stress.

Summary: Among the listed options, the action most characteristically attributed to the sympathetic nervous system is the dilation of the pupils, which aligns with the classic fight-or-flight responses mediated by sympathetic activation. The other options reflect actions more commonly linked to parasympathetic activity or to metabolic processes not driven by sympathetic output.

9808 WINTER 2025 BRUCE INTENSIVE Laboratory Exam 1: Undergraduate Students (9808)

Which of the following is considered an action of the sympathetic nervous system?

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9808 WINTER 2025 BRUCE INTENSIVE Laboratory Exam 1: Undergraduate Students (9808)

Which of the following is considered an action of the sympathetic nervous system?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

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