- Part 1: Assume you have a phobia of snakes. You are on a hike when you encounter a large, venomous appearing snake. What division of the autonomic nervous system will kick in and how will your heart, lungs and GI system be impacted?
- Part 2: The snake stares you down and then slithers off leaving you alone. The threat is over. What division of the autonomic nervous system now takes over and what impact does it have on your heart, lungs, and GI system.
Book that is being used is Anatomy, Physiology: An Interactive Journey for Health Professionals, 4th ed. Colbert, Ankney, Lee. 9780134880273, Pearson,
How to Solve Part 1: Assume you have a phobia of snakes. You are on a hike when you encounter a large, venomous appearing snake. What division of the autonomic nervous system will kick in and how will your heart, Nursing Assignment Help
Introduction:
In this response, we will discuss the two parts of the question related to the autonomic nervous system and its impact on the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal (GI) system. We will explore how the autonomic nervous system responds to a perceived threat from a snake and how it calms down after the threat has passed.
Part 1:
When encountering a large, venomous appearing snake, the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system kicks in. The sympathetic division is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response in threatening situations. It is activated during times of stress, danger, or excitement.
As a result, the heart rate and force of contractions increase. This helps to supply more oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues, preparing the individual for physical activity. The lungs also undergo changes, such as an increase in breathing rate and dilation of the bronchioles. This ensures an adequate supply of oxygen to the body.
In terms of the GI system, the sympathetic division inhibits activity in this area. It reduces digestive secretions and slows down peristalsis, the involuntary movements that propel food through the gastrointestinal tract. These changes allow the body to direct its resources towards dealing with the perceived threat rather than focusing on digestion.
Part 2:
After the snake slithers off and the threat is eliminated, the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system takes over. The parasympathetic division is responsible for the body’s rest and digest response. Its activation promotes relaxation and restoration of bodily functions.
In response to the absence of the threat, the parasympathetic division slows down the heart rate and helps restore it to its normal resting rate. It also reduces the force of contractions, promoting a state of relaxation. The lungs return to their normal state, with breathing rate and bronchiole diameter returning to baseline.
The effect on the GI system is also opposite to that of the sympathetic division. The parasympathetic division stimulates digestive activity by increasing secretions and promoting peristalsis. This allows for the efficient breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food.
Overall, the autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s response to perceived threats such as encountering a snake. The sympathetic division prepares the body for action, while the parasympathetic division helps restore the body to its normal resting state after the threat has passed.
