Veterinary Assistant Practice Exam 2025 - Free Veterinary Assistant Practice Questions and Study Guide

The sympathetic system is primarily responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to react to perceived threats. When confronted with stress or danger, this system activates physiological changes that enable quick reactions. For instance, it increases heart rate, redirects blood flow to essential muscles, and releases adrenaline, enhancing the body's ability to respond to immediate challenges.

In contrast, the parasympathetic system operates to promote a state of rest and digest, which counteracts the fight or flight response by calming the body and reducing heart rate. The cognitive system, while important for processing information and decision-making, does not directly control physiological responses. Finally, the endocrine system plays a role in the stress response by releasing hormones like cortisol, but it is the sympathetic system that initiates the immediate physical changes associated with the fight or flight reaction.