Question

multiple choice question
which raises the metabolic rate by as much as 30% after several weeks of cold weather?

○ parasympathetic nervous system
○ sympathetic nervous system
○ somatic nervous system

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for "rest and digest" functions, which would not increase metabolic rate in response to cold.
• The sympathetic nervous system is part of the body's response to stress (including cold stress). Prolonged cold exposure can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased metabolic rate (e.g., through mechanisms like shivering thermogenesis and non - shivering thermogenesis) over weeks.
• The somatic nervous system controls voluntary muscle movements and is not directly involved in regulating metabolic rate in response to cold for increasing it by 30% over weeks.

Answer:

B. Sympathetic nervous system