Question

Justify the antagonistic action of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nerve taking heartbeat as an example

Answer 1

Pacemaker present in our heart produces action potential that results in the contraction of cardiac muscle and hence pumping of blood.


Frequency of action potential produced by the pacemaker is under the control of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Sympathetic nervous system increase the frequency of action potential thus increasing the heart rate whereas antagonistically parasympathetic nervous system decrease the frequency of action potential thus lowering the heart beat. Both of them act antagonistically to control the heart beat.