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While hiking, a person is startled after encountering a bear. Her palms get sweaty and her heart starts racing. Which part of her nervous system was directly stimulated?

A. Central

B. Parasympathetic

C. Somatic

D. Sympathetic

Answer Explanation:

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for activities that are nonvoluntary and under unconscious control. This system controls glands and the smooth muscles of internal organs, heart rate, breathing, and digestion. The autonomic nervous system is further divided into the following:

  • Sympathetic nervous system: The sympathetic nervous system focuses on emergency situations by preparing the body for fight or flight. (Sympathetic = Stress)
  • Parasympathetic nervous system: The parasympathetic nervous system controls involuntary processes unrelated to emergencies. This system deals with “rest or digest” activities. (Parasympathetic = Peace)

The somatic nervous system primarily controls voluntary activities such as walking and riding a bicycle. Thus, this system sends information to the CNS and motor nerve fibers that are attached to skeletal muscle.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: During which of the following phase changes will the cohesion between the particles in a substance decrease?

    A. Condensation

    B. Deposition

    C. Freezing

    D. Vaporization

    Answer Explanation

    If the cohesion between particles decreases, then the particles must be undergoing a phase change that allows particles to move farther apart. This happens when a substance vaporizes and turns from liquid to gas. Any phase change that moves to the right in the diagram above requires energy to be added to the system because the substance has more energy at the end of the phase change. The phase changes are meltingvaporization (boiling), and sublimation. When energy is added, particles move faster and can break away from each other more easily as they move to a state of matter with a higher amount of energy. This is most commonly done by heating the substance. 

  • Q #2: A student notices a pattern of stripes on five tigers. Each of the five tigers has the same stripe pattern. Using his inductive reasoning, what does he logically assume based on this information?

    A. The pattern continues to change over time.

    B. Natural adaptations cause this pattern to occur

    C. Each offspring will have the same stripe pattern

    D. Ancestors of the tigers have different stripe patterns

    Answer Explanation

    Inductive reasoning involves making specific observations and using them to make broad statements. The student observes that all of the tigers have the same stripe pattern. He can use this observation to make the broad statement that all the tigers’ offspring will have the same stripe pattern.

    Inductive reasoning involves drawing a general conclusion from specific observations. This form of reasoning is referred to as the “from the bottom up” approach. Information gathered from specific observations can be used to make a general conclusion about the topic under investigation. In other words, conclusions are based on observed patterns in data.

  • Q #3: As soon as an invader, known as a(n) _____, enters the body, the body begins to fight.

    A. antibody

    B. pathogen

    C. trigger

    D. vaccination

    Answer Explanation

    Pathogen is an infectious foreign body that enters the body and causes disease or illness to the person. There are five types of pathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and worms. Pathogens have antigen proteins found on their surface and are unique to each pathogen.

    Antibody is a protein produced by the body’s immune system when it detects harmful substances (antigens). There are many different antibodies found in the body. Each one is unique and protects the body against the specific antigen that it detects at any given time. If there are no antibodies for a specific antigen, the more likely you are to develop an illness.

    Vaccinations are the introduction of a dead or disabled pathogen or of a harmless microbe with the protein of a pathogen on its surface into the body. Often administered through needle injection, to stimulate the immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease Immunity protects the body from a disease when exposed to it.

    There are four types of immunity: natural/passive, natural/active, artificial/passive, and artificial/ active.

    • Natural/passive – Babies receive immunities from breastmilk.
    • Natural/active – The body produces antibodies to combat an illness when a person becomes sick.
    • Artificial/passive – This immunity is temporary and requires doses of serum to maintain the immunity.
    • Artificial/active – A vaccination provides artificial/active immunity.