Adrenaline and the Fight or Flight Response Flashcards
What is the ‘fight or flight response’?
Fight or flight allows us to deal effectively with potential threats/stressors, it prepares us to either confront or run away from a threat
What is ‘appraisal of the stressor’?
The body appraises the situation using sensory systems and stored memories, so the hippocampus and amygdala try to recognize emotional reactions to stimuli and access stored memories for potential danger
What is the process of ‘fight or flight’?
- Situation is perceived as stressful due to memories, emotions or instincts
- Hypothalamus (CNS) is alerted, this recognizes the stress is acute
- The SAM pathway is activated (sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system that goes directly to the adrenal medulla)
- This stimulates the adrenal glands (specifically the Adrenal Medulla) situated just above the kidneys
- The Adrenal Medulla secretes the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline
Why does the ‘fight or flight’ response increase perspiration?
This is because it regulates the body temperature
Why does the ‘fight or flight’ response increase respiration rate?
This is because this increases oxygen intake
Why does the ‘fight or flight’ response increase blood flow to muscles?
For muscular tension. This is because this increases reaction time
Why does the ‘fight or flight’ response increase pupil dilation?
This is because this improves vision
Why does the ‘fight or flight’ response increase heart rate and raise blood pressure?
This is because it spreads adrenaline around the body
Why does the ‘fight or flight’ response cause reduced activity in the digestive system?
This is because this saves energy
Adrenaline causes faster respiration by…
increasing the amount of available glucose to intercostal muscles cells to enable lungs to work faster and increase oxygen intake
