The parasympathetic nervous system
A) causes constriction of cutaneous blood vessels and dilation of vessels to the skeletal muscles
B) decreases heart rate and increases secretion of digestive enzymes
C) releases epinephrine from the postganglionic fibers
D) stimulates the sweat glands in stressful situations
E) has only one neuron in the pathway

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response, which includes decreasing heart rate and increasing secretion of digestive enzymes.

Answer: A, D, and E are incorrect.
 Choice A is actually a function of the sympathetic nervous system, which causes dilation of cutaneous blood vessels and constriction of vessels to the skeletal muscles. Choice D is also a function of the sympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the sweat glands in response to stressful situations. Choice E is incorrect because the parasympathetic nervous system has a two-neuron pathway, with the first neuron (preganglionic) releasing acetylcholine and the second neuron (postganglionic) releasing either acetylcholine (in the case of the parasympathetic ganglia) or norepinephrine (in the case of the sympathetic ganglia).

The Parasympathetic Nervous System