Fight or flight

Question 1

What is the fight or flight response?

Answer 1

When we are threatened, the nervous and endocrine system work together to produce this fast response

Question 2

What is an evaluation point of the fight or flight response?

Answer 2

• females responses differs to men’s
• women follow a tend and befriend pattern
• protect themselves and their young through nurturing and befriend other mothers
• suggest fight or flight is only specific to men and doesn’t explain the different gender responses

Question 3

What is the body’s response to ACUTE stress?

Answer 3

• hypothalamus is alerted and SAM pathway is activated
  -activates sympathetic branch of ANS
• stimulates adrenal medulla which is part of adrenal glands
• this then secretes the hormone adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream
• prepares body for fight or flight
• PNS then brings body to optimum level of functioning

Question 4

What is the body’s response to chronic stress?

Answer 4

• hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland
• pituitary gland secretes ACTH
• this then stimulates adrenal glands to produce the hormone corticosteroid
• cortisol enables body to maintain a steady supply of blood sugar
• this helps a person to cope with prolonged stressor and body returns to normal