Fight Or Flight Flashcards
What are the two main systems involved in the fight or flight response?
SAM System and HPA System.
What does the SAM System stand for?
Sympathetic Adrenal Medulla System.
What is the role of the HPA System?
Regulates homeostasis through the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, and Adrenal cortex.
What type of stress does the SAM System respond to?
Short term stress.
What is the duration of the stress response in the SAM System?
Immediate response lasting 6-8 minutes.
What type of stress does the HPA System respond to?
Long term stress.
What is the primary hormone released by the HPA System?
Cortisol.
What is a stressor?
An activator that triggers a stress response.
What is the primary hormone associated with the fight or flight response?
Adrenaline.
What physiological changes occur during the fight or flight response?
Increased heart rate, blood flow to vital organs, and pupil dilation.
What happens to the immune system during the fight or flight response?
It is suppressed.
What is the purpose of the fight or flight response?
A survival mechanism enabling quick reactions to life-threatening situations. Either fight threat or flee to safety.
What occurs after the threat has passed during a fight or flight response?
The parasympathetic branch of the ANS dampens the stress response. This reactivates the digestive system.
What is the ‘freeze response’?
A reaction where individuals avoid confrontation by becoming immobilized.
Why is the fight or flight response less frequently required in modern times?
There are fewer life-threatening situations compared to the past.
