6.4: The fight-or-flight response, including the role of adrenaline

Question 1

Paul does not like rollercoasters. His mouth goes dry, his heart beats fast and he sweats in the queue while waiting for the ride.

With reference to the fight-or-flight response, explain why his body reacts this way (4 marks)

Answer 1

While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area

Question 2

Paul does not like rollercoasters. His mouth goes dry, his heart beats fast and he sweats in the queue while waiting for the ride.

With reference to the fight-or-flight response, explain why his body reacts this way (4 marks).
While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area, which does what?

Answer 2

While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area, which signals the adrenal medulla within the adrenal gland to trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream

Question 3

Paul does not like rollercoasters. His mouth goes dry, his heart beats fast and he sweats in the queue while waiting for the ride.

With reference to the fight-or-flight response, explain why his body reacts this way (4 marks).
While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area, which signals the adrenal medulla within the adrenal gland to trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream.
What does this do?

Answer 3

This prompts increased heart rate, increased breathing rate and sweating (indicated by Paul sweating while in the queue)

Question 4

Paul does not like rollercoasters. His mouth goes dry, his heart beats fast and he sweats in the queue while waiting for the ride.

With reference to the fight-or-flight response, explain why his body reacts this way (4 marks).
While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area, which signals the adrenal medulla within the adrenal gland to trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream.
This prompts increased heart rate, increased breathing rate and sweating (indicated by Paul sweating while in the queue) and what?

Answer 4

This prompts increased heart rate, increased breathing rate and sweating (indicated by Paul sweating while in the queue) and reduced functioning of the digestive (indicated by his dry mouth) and immune systems

Question 5

Paul does not like rollercoasters. His mouth goes dry, his heart beats fast and he sweats in the queue while waiting for the ride.

With reference to the fight-or-flight response, explain why his body reacts this way (4 marks).
While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area, which signals the adrenal medulla within the adrenal gland to trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream.
This prompts increased heart rate, increased breathing rate and sweating (indicated by Paul sweating while in the queue) and reduced functioning of the digestive (indicated by his dry mouth) and immune systems.
What does this do?

Answer 5

This activates the bodily response of fight-or-flight

Question 6

Paul does not like rollercoasters. His mouth goes dry, his heart beats fast and he sweats in the queue while waiting for the ride.

With reference to the fight-or-flight response, explain why his body reacts this way (4 marks).
While Paul waits for a rollercoaster ride, the fear he experiences is detected by the hypothalamus brain area, which signals the adrenal medulla within the adrenal gland to trigger the release of the hormone adrenaline into the bloodstream.
This prompts increased heart rate, increased breathing rate and sweating (indicated by Paul sweating while in the queue) and reduced functioning of the digestive (indicated by his dry mouth) and immune systems.
This activates the bodily response of fight-or-flight, which occurs when?

Answer 6

This activates the bodily response of fight-or-flight, which occurs during fearful situations

Question 7

The fight or flight response enabled our ancestors to survive but can be less helpful in response to more modern stressors.

Explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a driving test situation (4 marks)

Answer 7

The fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased production of sweat and a faster heart and breathing rate

Question 8

The fight or flight response enabled our ancestors to survive but can be less helpful in response to more modern stressors.

Explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a driving test situation (4 marks).
The fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased production of sweat and a faster heart and breathing rate.
This could be what during a driving test?

Answer 8

This could be off-putting and unhelpful during a driving test

Question 9

The fight or flight response enabled our ancestors to survive but can be less helpful in response to more modern stressors.

Explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a driving test situation (4 marks).
The fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased production of sweat and a faster heart and breathing rate.
This could be off-putting and unhelpful during a driving test.
Example

Answer 9

For example, sweaty hands may make it harder to grip the steering wheel

Question 10

The fight or flight response enabled our ancestors to survive but can be less helpful in response to more modern stressors.

Explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a driving test situation (4 marks).
The fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased production of sweat and a faster heart and breathing rate.
This could be off-putting and unhelpful during a driving test.
For example, sweaty hands may make it harder to grip the steering wheel.

What does the fight or flight response enable?

Answer 10

The fight or flight response enables a quick reaction to fight the threat or run away from it

Question 11

The fight or flight response enabled our ancestors to survive but can be less helpful in response to more modern stressors.

Explain how the body responds during fight or flight and why this could be unhelpful in a driving test situation (4 marks).
The fight or flight response causes adrenaline to be released which can cause an increased production of sweat and a faster heart and breathing rate.
This could be off-putting and unhelpful during a driving test.
For example, sweaty hands may make it harder to grip the steering wheel.

The fight or flight response enables a quick reaction to fight the threat or run away from it, but why would neither of these options be helpful in a driving test?

Answer 11

The fight or flight response enables a quick reaction to fight the threat or run away from it, but neither of these options would be helpful in a driving test, because if you ran away or attacked the instructor, you would fail the driving test

Question 12

Outline the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response (4 marks)

Answer 12

Adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla in response to activation of the sympathomedullary pathway

Question 13

Outline the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response (4 marks).
Adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla in response to activation of the sympathomedullary pathway.

Answer 13

Adrenaline has a range of effects on the body

Question 14

Outline the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response (4 marks).
Adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla in response to activation of the sympathomedullary pathway.
Adrenaline has a range of effects on the body.
What do the direct effects of adrenaline include?

Answer 14

The direct effects of adrenaline include:

1. An increased heart rate
2. Increased blood to the brain and skeletal muscles
3. Increased respiration and sweating

Question 15

Outline the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response (4 marks).
Adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla in response to activation of the sympathomedullary pathway.
Adrenaline has a range of effects on the body.
The direct effects of adrenaline include an increased heart rate, increased blood to the brain and skeletal muscles and increased respiration and sweating.
What are the general effects of adrenaline?

Answer 15

The general effects of adrenaline are to:

1. Prepare the body for action (fight or flight)
2. Increase blood supply to the skeletal muscles for physical action
3. To increase oxygen supply to the brain for rapid response planning

Question 16

You are just about to cross the road when a car comes speeding round the corner and narrowly misses you. Afterwards, standing safely on the pavement, you notice that your mouth is very dry, your breathing is very fast and your heart is thumping.

Using your knowledge of the body’s response to stress, explain why you are likely to have experienced these changes (4 marks)

Answer 16

You are likely to have experienced these changes, because your body is responding to a short-term stressor

Question 17

You are just about to cross the road when a car comes speeding round the corner and narrowly misses you. Afterwards, standing safely on the pavement, you notice that your mouth is very dry, your breathing is very fast and your heart is thumping.

Using your knowledge of the body’s response to stress, explain why you are likely to have experienced these changes (4 marks).
You are likely to have experienced these changes, because your body is responding to a short-term stressor.
What is the release of adrenaline responsible for?

Answer 17

The release of adrenaline is responsible for increased heart rate and faster breathing

Question 18

You are just about to cross the road when a car comes speeding round the corner and narrowly misses you. Afterwards, standing safely on the pavement, you notice that your mouth is very dry, your breathing is very fast and your heart is thumping.

Using your knowledge of the body’s response to stress, explain why you are likely to have experienced these changes (4 marks).
You are likely to have experienced these changes, because your body is responding to a short-term stressor.
The release of adrenaline is responsible for increased heart rate and faster breathing and what?

Answer 18

The release of adrenaline is responsible for increased heart rate and faster breathing and the dry mouth is linked to the digestive system ‘shutting down’