What occurs when the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated?

When the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, it activates the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body for physical activity or stressful situations. This response includes several physiological changes, such as:

Increased heart rate and cardiac output: The sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, which increase heart rate and cardiac output to provide more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.

Decreased uterine activity: The sympathetic nervous system inhibits uterine contractions to prevent

premature labor.

Decreased pancreatic activity: The sympathetic nervous system inhibits insulin secretion and promotes glucagon secretion to increase blood glucose levels.

Decreased gastrointestinal activity: The sympathetic nervous system inhibits digestive functions to divert blood flow to the muscles.

Blood then carries them to target cells or organs throughout the body. Hormones are chemical messengers that help to regulate various physiological processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Unlike exocrine glands (option a), which secrete their products into ducts that carry them to external surfaces such as the skin or digestive tract, endocrine glands have no ducts and release their secretions directly into the circulatory system. Salivary glands (option d) are exocrine glands that secrete saliva into ducts leading to the mouth. Option b is also incorrect as it does not accurately describe endocrine glands.