How does the nervous system influence the respiratory system?(1 point)

It stimulates defense against pathogens.
It controls muscle contraction.
It regulates blood pressure.
It regulates urine output.

It controls muscle contraction.

The correct answer is: It controls muscle contraction.

The correct answer is "It controls muscle contraction."

The nervous system plays a vital role in the functioning of the respiratory system by controlling the muscles involved in respiration. The main muscle responsible for breathing is the diaphragm, which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When you inhale, the diaphragm contracts and moves downward, expanding the chest cavity and allowing the lungs to fill with air. Conversely, when you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, compressing the lungs and forcing the air out.

The nervous system, specifically the autonomic nervous system, regulates and controls this process. The respiratory centers in the brainstem receive signals from sensory receptors that monitor the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. These centers send signals through the nerves to the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles, coordinating the timing and intensity of their contractions.

In addition to controlling muscle contraction, the nervous system also has other effects on respiration. For example, it can influence the rate and depth of breathing in response to different physiological conditions or external factors, such as exercise or emotional stress.

However, the other options mentioned in the question are not directly related to the influence of the nervous system on the respiratory system. The nervous system does not primarily stimulate defense against pathogens, regulate blood pressure, or regulate urine output in the context of the respiratory system.