Which of the following is a description of the principle of autonomic antagonism as it relates to the autonomic nervous system?
A)If sympathetic impulses tend to inhibit the effector, parasympathetic impulses tend to stimulate it.
B)If sympathetic impulses inhibit autonomic centers, parasympathetic impulses tend to stimulate them.
C)If sympathetic impulses tend to stimulate an effector, parasympathetic impulses tend to inhibit it.
D)If sympathetic impulses initiate nerve conduction, parasympathetic impulses stop nerve conduction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Autonomic antagonism refers to the principle that the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system have opposite effects on a given effector. Specifically, if sympathetic impulses tend to stimulate an effector (e.g. increasing heart rate), parasympathetic impulses tend to inhibit it (e.g. slowing heart rate). Therefore, option C correctly describes the principle of autonomic antagonism.

Which of the Following Is a Description of the Principle