A 16-year-old male is reading a book after he has returned home from baseball practice and eaten dinner. As he is reading, his pupils begin to constrict, and his eyes move medially. Slowly he begins heavy blinking before falling asleep. Which branch of the nervous system is dominant during this situation?
Group of answer choices
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System
Explain your answer. Your explanation must be cited and referenced in APA format.
Identification of Dominant Branch of the Nervous System
Identification of Dominant Branch of the Nervous System
The dominant branch of the nervous system during the scenario described, where a 16-year-old male reading a book falls asleep with constricted pupils and medially moving eyes, heavy blinking, is the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for rest and digest functions, promoting relaxation and conservation of energy.
According to "Principles of Neural Science" by Eric R. Kandel et al., the parasympathetic nervous system is activated during periods of rest and relaxation. It counteracts the fight-or-flight response initiated by the sympathetic nervous system, facilitating activities such as digestion, lowering heart rate, and promoting overall relaxation.
Moreover, "Vander's Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function" by Eric Widmaier et al. emphasizes that pupillary constriction, medially moving eyes, and heavy blinking are indicative of the parasympathetic nervous system's influence, as these responses are associated with a state of calmness and rest.
In conclusion, based on the described physiological responses of constricted pupils, medially moving eyes, heavy blinking, and subsequent falling asleep while reading a book in a relaxed setting, it is evident that the parasympathetic nervous system is the dominant branch at play, orchestrating the body's transition into a state of rest and relaxation.