Overall, ..... nerves slow down the body and divert energy to digestion and other basic housekeeping tasks, and .......... nerves slow down housekeeping tasks and increase overall activity in times of heightened awareness or excitement.

Options

A. autonomic, somatic
B. sympathetic, parasympathetic
C. parasympathetic, sympathetic
D. peripheral, central

Explanation

To solve the question, we need to identify the correct types of nerves that correspond to the functions described in the blanks.

1. **Understanding the Functions of Nerves**:
- The first part of the sentence states that certain nerves "slow down the body and divert energy to digestion and other basic housekeeping tasks." This function is characteristic of the **parasympathetic nervous system**. The parasympathetic system is responsible for promoting rest-and-digest activities, which include slowing the heart rate and enhancing digestion.

2. **Identifying the Second Function**:
- The second part of the sentence mentions that other nerves "slow down housekeeping tasks and increase overall activity in times of heightened awareness or excitement." This function aligns with the **sympathetic nervous system**. The sympathetic system is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body for stressful situations by increasing heart rate, respiration, and energy availability while inhibiting non-essential functions like digestion.

3. **Filling in the Blanks**:
- Based on the above understanding, we can fill in the blanks:
- The first blank should be filled with **parasympathetic**.
- The second blank should be filled with **sympathetic**.

Thus, the completed sentence reads: "Overall, **parasympathetic** nerves slow down the body and divert energy to digestion and other basic housekeeping tasks, and **sympathetic** nerves slow down housekeeping tasks and increase overall activity in times of heightened awareness or excitement."