What does the ascending reticular activating system do?
It regulates arousal and alertness by sending sensory signals from the body to the brain.
What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?
Voluntary movements and sensory input — it controls skeletal muscles and transmits sensory information.
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
It calms the body after stress, promoting rest, digestion, and energy conservation (“rest and digest”).
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
It activates the body’s stress response — increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and mobilizing energy (“fight or flight”).
What is the reticular formation and how does it relate to the sympathetic system?
The reticular formation helps regulate wakefulness and attention; it can influence sympathetic arousal during stress or danger.
