Fight or Flight

Question 1

What is step 1 of the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 1

An event is perceived as an acute stressor by the brain and the hypothalamus is activated

Question 2

What is step 2 of the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 2

The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is activated

Question 3

What is step 3 of the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 3

The adrenal medulla is stimulated and it releases adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 4

What is step 4 of the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 4

These cause the blood pressure, heart rate and sweat production to increase

Question 5

What is step 5 of the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 5

The body is then ready for fight or flight

Question 6

What is step 1 of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal pathway?

Answer 6

An event is perceived as a chronic stressor by the brain and the hypothalamus is activated

Question 7

What is step 2 of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal pathway?

Answer 7

The pituitary gland is activated which then releases the stress hormone ACTH

Question 8

What is step 3 of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal pathway?

Answer 8

This stimulates the adrenal cortex which releases cortisol

Question 9

What is step 4 of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal pathway?

Answer 9

These hormones suppress the immune system and increase energy levels

Question 10

What are 2 evaluation points?

Answer 10

• Human behaviour not limited to just two responses
• Doesn’t fully explain the stress response in females