Sympathetic nervous system

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sympathetic-nervous-system

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the origin of neurons?Thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord
2. What is the primary neurotransmitters?Norepinephrine (at nerve endings) and epinephrine (from adrenal medulla)
3. What is the fight or flight system in my body?It is part of the sympathetic nervous system that helps you react quickly to danger or excitement.
4. How does my body get ready for a big run or a scary moment?The sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and norepinephrine, speeding up heart, breathing, and blood flow to muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): The part of the nervous system controlling involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion.
Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal physiological environment despite external changes.
Neurotransmitter: Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.