An antelope sprints quickly away from a predator, relying on anaerobic respiration in the powerful skeletal muscles of its legs.What might you expect to see in its circulatory system while escaping the predator?
A) Activation of the parasympathetic system
B) A carefully maintained, constant stroke volume
C) A decrease in norepinephrine secretion
D) An increase in blood flow to the gut
E) Contraction of precapillary sphincters serving capillaries of the gut

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During a fight-or-flight response, the body redirects blood flow away from non-essential organs such as the gut and towards the skeletal muscles and other vital organs, like the heart and lungs. This is achieved through the contraction of precapillary sphincters, which serve capillaries of non-essential organs, reducing blood flow to those organs, and redirecting it towards the essential organs. In the case of the sprinting antelope, an increase in blood flow to its skeletal muscles would be necessary to support its anaerobic respiration, making it likely that precapillary sphincters in the gut would contract to reduce blood flow to that area.

An Antelope Sprints Quickly Away from a Predator, Relying on Anaerobic