Edmund was walking down a dark street when he heard a car backfire. His heart started to race and he began to perspire in response to this sudden, startling noise. These physical reactions were triggered by Edmund's

A) parasympathetic nervous system.
B) somatic nervous system.
C) sympathetic nervous system.
D) cerebellum.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that conserves energy by slowing the heart rate, increasing intestinal and gland activity, and relaxing sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.

Somatic Nervous System

The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with voluntary control of body movements through the action of skeletal muscles.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that activates what is often termed the fight or flight response.