

Sweat glands are stimulated to produce sweat. The adrenal medulla is stimulated to release epinephrine (adrenalin) and norepinephrine (noradrenalin), which in turn increases the metabolic rate of cells and stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood. In these kinds of situations, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates cardiac muscles to increase the heart rate, causes dilation of the bronchioles of the lungs (increasing oxygen intake), and causes dilation of blood vessels that supply the heart and skeletal muscles (increasing blood supply). The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for situations requiring alertness or strength, or situations that arouse fear, anger, excitement, or embarrassment (“fight‐or‐flight” situations). Working in this fashion, each system prepares the body for a different kind of situation, as follows: However, the two systems work in opposition-where one system stimulates an organ, the other inhibits. Both of these systems can stimulate and inhibit effectors. The ANS is further divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. In addition, the ANS monitors visceral organs and blood vessels with sensory neurons, which provide input information for the CNS. In contrast, the ANS consists of motor neurons that control smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands. The peripheral nervous system consists of the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The SNS consists of motor neurons that stimulate skeletal muscles. Quiz: Regulation of Urine Concentration.Quiz: Structure of the Digestive Tract Wall.Quiz: Function of the Respiratory System.Quiz: Structure of the Respiratory System.Quiz: Supplements to the Immune Response.Quiz: Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Responses.Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Responses.Quiz: Specific Defense (The Immune System).The Immune System and Other Body Defenses.Quiz: Functions of the Cardiovascular System.Quiz: The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Glands.Quiz: The Ventricles and Cerebrospinal Fluid.Quiz: Muscle Size and Arrangement of Muscle Fascicles.Muscle Size and Arrangement of Muscle Fascicles.Quiz: Structure of Cardiac and Smooth Muscle.Quiz: Connective Tissue Associated with Muscle Tissue.Connective Tissue Associated with Muscle Tissue.Quiz: Chemical Reactions in Metabolic Processes.Chemical Reactions in Metabolic Processes.Quiz: Atoms, Molecules, Ions, and Bonds.
