Question

How does parasympathetic neural signal affect the working of the heart?

• A. Reduce both heart rate and cardiac output
• B. Heat rate is increased without affecting the cardiac output
• C. Both heart rate and cardiac output increase
• D. Heart rate decreases but cardiac output increases

Answer 1

The correct option is A Reduce both heart rate and cardiac output

A special neural centre in medulla oblongata can moderate the cardiac function through the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Neural signals from the sympathetic nerves (part of ANS) can increase the rate of heartbeat, the strength of ventricular contraction and thereby the cardiac output. Parasympathetic neural signals ( a component of ANS) decrease the rate of heart beat, the speed of conduction of action potential and thereby the cardiac output.