Which of the following is a mechanistic rather than a teleological explanation of a physiological phenomenon?
A) A person breathes to obtain oxygen.
B) A person sweats to cool off.
C) A person's stomach secretes digestive juices because it is stimulated by the nervous system.
D) A person's heart beats to pump blood.
E) A person's kidneys produce urine to eliminate wastes from the body.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mechanistic explanation describes the cause-and-effect relationship between a physiological phenomenon and the mechanisms that produce it. In this case, the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach is a result of neural stimulation, which is a specific mechanism. The other options provide teleological explanations, which describe the purpose or goal of a physiological phenomenon, but do not explain the underlying mechanisms.

Which of the Following Is a Mechanistic Rather Than a Teleological