How will richard’s body react when a friend jumps in front of him and scares him? richard’s central nervous system will take over, and his peripheral nervous system will play a lesser role. richard’s peripheral nervous system will take over, and his central nervous system will play a lesser role. richard’s sympathetic nervous system will take over, and his parasympathetic nervous system will play a lesser role. richard’s parasympathetic nervous system will take over, and his sympathetic nervous system will play a lesser role.