Which statement best describes the primary function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

• A. Promotes “rest-and-digest” activities such as decreasing heart rate and stimulating digestion
• B. Controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement via somatic motor neurons
• C. Carries sensory information from the skin and joints to the central nervous system
• D. Initiates the “fight-or-flight” response by increasing heart rate and dilating bronchioles

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, each with distinct functions.
2. Recall that the parasympathetic nervous system is primarily responsible for conserving energy and promoting maintenance activities in the body, often summarized as 'rest-and-digest' functions.
3. Identify key parasympathetic actions such as decreasing heart rate, stimulating digestive processes, and promoting relaxation of the body after stress.
4. Contrast these functions with the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response, including increasing heart rate and dilating bronchioles.
5. Recognize that voluntary skeletal muscle control and sensory information transmission are functions of the somatic nervous system and sensory pathways, not the parasympathetic nervous system.