Question

based on the scenario below, select the statement that accurately finishes the sentence. stacey has recently had a car accident and has lost her sense of taste as a result. it is most likely that she has _______. a. damaged her peripheral nervous system because the information regarding taste cannot be transmitted back to her brain b. damaged her central nervous system because the tongue is so close to the brain c. damaged her peripheral nervous system because this is typical for a spinal cord injury d. damaged her peripheral nervous system because it is responsible for basic body functions like breathing and taste

Explanation:

• Option A: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) transmits sensory info (like taste) to the brain. If Stacey lost taste, PNS damage could block taste info transmission.
• Option B: The central nervous system (CNS) is brain and spinal cord. Taste receptors send info via PNS, not CNS, so B is wrong.
• Option C: Spinal cord injuries affect motor/sensory of limbs/trunk, not taste (which is from tongue receptors), so C is wrong.
• Option D: Basic functions like breathing are controlled by CNS (brainstem), not PNS. Taste is transmitted by PNS, but breathing isn’t a PNS function, so D is wrong.

Answer:

A. damaged her peripheral nervous system because the information regarding taste cannot be transmitted back to her brain