Question

Assertion [A]: Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are antagonistic to each other.

Reason [R]: The parasympathetic nervous system ‘prepares you’ for action, while the sympathetic system ‘calms you’ down after action.

• A. Only A is correct.
• B. Only R is correct.
• C. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation for A.
• D. Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation for A.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Only A is correct.

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system. They are antagonistic to each other i.e., have opposing functions.
• The sympathetic system prepares the body for a fight or flight response, while the parasympathetic system helps return the body functions to normal levels.
• For eg. the sympathetic system increases the rate of heartbeat, constrict blood vessels and raise the arterial blood pressure, thus preparing the body for action. The parasympathetic system, on the other hand, decrease the rate of heartbeat, dilate blood vessels and lower the arterial blood pressure. Hence, restoring the normal state.