The morning was frigid and the roads covered with ice. As Paula drove to work, she was cautious, especially in less-traveled areas. When she entered the main highway, the situation was worse than she expected. As she passed a truck that had slid off the road, another vehicle lost control and spun around in front of her. She reacted rapidly, evaluating the danger and turning her car just in time to miss the out-of-control driver. She remembered not to attempt to use the breaks. As she continued on her way, she observed that her rate of breathing had accelerated and she felt much more alert than she had earlier. Paula experienced:

Question

The morning was frigid and the roads covered with ice. As Paula drove to work, she was cautious, especially in less-traveled areas. When she entered the main highway, the situation was worse than she expected. As she passed a truck that had slid off the road, another vehicle lost control and spun around in front of her. She reacted rapidly, evaluating the danger and turning her car just in time to miss the out-of-control driver. She remembered not to attempt to use the breaks. As she continued on her way, she observed that her rate of breathing had accelerated and she felt much more alert than she had earlier. Paula experienced:

a. an increase in serotonin which prepared her for the emergency situation.

b. a marked decrease in GABA which enabled her to think more clearly.

c. the action of the sympathetic nervous system which prepared her for crisis.

d. a change in the cortical complex as it reacted to danger.

I think it is either a or c.

Answer 1

To determine the correct answer between options (a) and (c), let's analyze the given situation.

Paula encountered a dangerous situation on the road due to the icy conditions, which required her to react quickly to avoid a collision with another out-of-control vehicle. She experienced a physical response, such as an increase in breathing rate and heightened alertness.

Now, let's evaluate the options:

a. An increase in serotonin which prepared her for the emergency situation: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep. While it can play a role in regulating emotions, it is unlikely to be responsible for Paula's immediate physical response to the situation. Therefore, option (a) is not the correct answer.

c. The action of the sympathetic nervous system which prepared her for crisis: The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response, which activates in times of stress or danger. This response includes increased heart rate, breathing rate, and heightened alertness to prepare the body for a crisis. Given Paula's physical response and the context of the situation, option (c) is the most likely correct answer.

Therefore, the most appropriate answer is:

c. The action of the sympathetic nervous system which prepared her for crisis.