What part of the nervous system is primarily responsible for arousing the body’s responses in stressful situations?

The sympathetic nervous system is primarily responsible for arousing the body’s responses in stressful situations. This system is part of the autonomic nervous system and plays a crucial role in the body's fight-or-flight response. When faced with a threat or stressful situation, the sympathetic nervous system activates, leading to physiological changes such as increased heart rate, heightened blood pressure, and the release of adrenaline. These changes prepare the body to respond effectively to danger by either confronting it or fleeing from it.

In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system serves to calm the body after a stress response, promoting rest and digestion. The limbic system is involved in emotion regulation and memory but does not directly control the body's arousal responses in stressful situations. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex is associated with higher cognitive functions, such as thought and decision-making, rather than autonomic responses to stress. Thus, the sympathetic nervous system is correctly identified as the primary system engaged during stress, leading to the body's immediate arousal and readiness to react.