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 the 16-year-old male is startled awake by a loud noise from his younger brother's prank, causing him to jump up and run out of his room, is the Sympathetic Nervous System. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response in reaction to stressors or perceived threats. As outlined in the textbook "Principles of Neural Science" by Eric R. Kandel et al., the sympathetic nervous system is activated in situations of stress or danger, preparing the body for action. It triggers physiological responses such as increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and the release of adrenaline to mobilize energy for the fight-or-flight response. Furthermore, "Vander's Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function" by Eric Widmaier et al. underscores that the startle response exhibited by the 16-year-old male, characterized by immediate jumping up and running out of the room in reaction to a loud noise, aligns with the rapid and heightened responses orchestrated by the sympathetic nervous system. In conclusion, based on the described physiological reactions of immediate arousal, heightened alertness, and physical readiness to respond to a perceived threat caused by the loud noise and startle induced by the prank, it is evident that the sympathetic nervous system is the dominant branch at play, preparing the body for a fight-or-flight response in reaction to the unexpected stimulus.

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