Explain how the peripheral nervous system controls both voluntary and involuntary responses during a 400 metre sprint race. (5 marks)
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Sample Answer
- The somatic nervous system controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements.
- Motor neurons transmit signals to leg and arm muscles causing running technique execution.
- Sprinters consciously drive knees high and pump arms for maximum speed, which shows how voluntary control enables purposeful movement.
- Sensory neurons provide continuous feedback about body position and track surface.
- This information allows real-time adjustments to stride and posture.
- Runners adjust foot placement on curves and maintain lane position, demonstrating how sensory input guides voluntary responses.
- The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary cardiovascular responses.
- Sympathetic activation increases heart rate and dilates airways automatically.
- Heart rate rises to 180+ bpm without conscious control during sprinting, illustrating how involuntary responses support intense exercise.
- Temperature regulation occurs through involuntary sweating and vasodilation.
- The body automatically cools itself as core temperature rises.
- Blood vessels dilate and sweat glands activate without conscious thought, showing how involuntary mechanisms maintain homeostasis during exercise
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Sample Answer
- The somatic nervous system controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements.
- Motor neurons transmit signals to leg and arm muscles causing running technique execution.
- Sprinters consciously drive knees high and pump arms for maximum speed, which shows how voluntary control enables purposeful movement.
- Sensory neurons provide continuous feedback about body position and track surface.
- This information allows real-time adjustments to stride and posture.
- Runners adjust foot placement on curves and maintain lane position, demonstrating how sensory input guides voluntary responses.
- The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary cardiovascular responses.
- Sympathetic activation increases heart rate and dilates airways automatically.
- Heart rate rises to 180+ bpm without conscious control during sprinting, illustrating how involuntary responses support intense exercise.
- Temperature regulation occurs through involuntary sweating and vasodilation.
- The body automatically cools itself as core temperature rises.
- Blood vessels dilate and sweat glands activate without conscious thought, showing how involuntary mechanisms maintain homeostasis during exercise.