Question

Malcolm is studying alone in his room late at night when he hears a loud noise downstairs. his heartbeat increases significantly and his breathing becomes shallow. he wonders if a burglar has entered the house and decides to investigate. when he gets downstairs he discovers his cat has knocked over a plant stand. his body begins to relax and return to normal. which part of his nervous system is responsible for returning malcolm to a normal state

Answer 1

Parasympathetic nervous system 

The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system. The PNS rests and relaxes the body after it is at a heightened state of arousal (usually due to the fight and flight system being activated). The PNS is responsible for returning heart beat back to a normal rate, slowing down rapid breathing, relaxing muscles, constricting pupils and relaxing the digestive and excretory system so that they return to normal functioning.