Answer :
Final answer:
Blair's heart pounding and palms sweating were the result of the activation of her sympathetic nervous system. This part of the autonomic nervous system is engaged during 'fight-or-flight' stress responses and brings about physiological changes such as increased heart rate and perspiration, preparing the body to react to a perceived threat.
Explanation:
As her professor distributed the psychology 101 final exam to the class, Blair's heart started to pound and her palms began to sweat. These physiological reactions were activated by her sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic nervous system that is activated during stressful situations like these, also known as 'fight-or-flight' responses.
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the unconscious control over visceral functions and has two divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stressful scenarios by triggering reactions such as accelerated heart rate, inhibited digestion, and increased perspiration, effectively preparing the body to either confront or avoid a perceived threat. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is active during periods of rest and relaxation.
Upon activation, the sympathetic nervous system releases the hormone norepinephrine onto target organs which amplifies the response to stress. For instance, norepinephrine causes dilation of the trachea and bronchi, facilitating breathing; it increases the heart rate, and directs blood flow towards the heart, muscles, and brain, thus preparing the individual for the required response. This swift and robust response of the sympathetic nervous system aids us in evading danger and remembering to avoid similar threatening situations in the future.
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