Which statement best describes the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems? A. The sympathetic sy
stem prepares the body for stress and activity and the parasympathetic system prepares the body for rest. B. The sympathetic system sends signals within the brain and the parasympathetic system sends signals between the brain and the body. C. The sympathetic system contains the brain and spinal cord and the parasympathetic system contains the peripheral nerves. D. The sympathetic system controls voluntary body movements and the parasympathetic system controls involuntary functions.
A. The sympathetic system prepares the body for stress and activity and the parasympathetic system prepares the body for rest.
Explanation:
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are part of the autonomic nervous system and work antagonistically to each other.
The sympathetic nervous system is the one that prepares the body for "fight or flight" under emergency or stress conditions. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system is related to the resting phase of the body.
The general effect of the sympathetic nervous system is to mobilize the energy while the parasympathetic nervous system serves to restore the energy level of the body.
