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How does sympathetic activation change the behavior of the enteric neurons that serve the gut?
AIt stimulates them, raising secretion and motility
BIt stimulates them, raising secretion but not motility
CIt restricts them, lowering motility but not secretion
DIt restricts them, lowering secretion and motility
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It restricts them, lowering secretion and motility
1. Extrinsic innervation of the alimentary canal comes from the autonomic nervous system.
2. Sympathetic activation is the fight-or-flight response, which pulls resources away from digestion.
3. It restricts the activity of enteric neurons, so both gastrointestinal secretion and motility fall.
4. Parasympathetic activation is the rest-and-digest response and does the opposite, raising secretion and motility.
5. The two options that say sympathetic activity stimulates the gut swap the two divisions around.
6. The option that spares secretion is wrong because the restriction covers secretion and motility together.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 23 "The Digestive System", section 23.1 Overview of the Digestive System_
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