Fight or Flight Response

Question 1

Describe the process of the fight and flight response. [6 marks]

Answer 1

1 > Person encounters stressful/dangerous situation.

2 > Amygdala is activated - sends a distress signal to hypothalamus.

3 > Hypothalamus activates the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway) - the pathway running towards the adrenal medulla & sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

4 > SNS stimulates the adrenal medulla.

5 > Adrenal medulla secretes adrenaline & noradrenaline into bloodstream.

6 > Adrenaline causes a number of physiological changes to prepare the body for fight or flight.

7~ E.G. breathing / heart rate increases, or salivation is inhibited.

Question 2

What is meant by the amygdala?

Answer 2

Responds to sensory input and connects it with emotions associated with the fight or flight response, during stressful situations.

Sensory input = (what we see, hear, smell…etc)

Fight or flight response = (e.g. fear & anger)

Question 3

Give 5 examples of physiological changes during the fight or flight response and the reasons for those changes. [5 marks]

Answer 3

Increased heart rate >
increase blood flow to organs and the movement of adrenaline around body.

Increased breathing rate >
increases oxygen intake.

Pupil dilation >
increases light entering the eye and enhance vision (especially in the dark)

Sweat production >
to regulate temperature.

Reduction of non-essential functions (e.g. digestion, urination, salivation) >
increase energy for other essential functions.

Question 4

What occurs after the fight or flight response?

Answer 4

The parasympathetic nervous system activates…
to return the body back to its ‘normal’ resting state, rest and digest response.

Slows down heart & breathing rate and reduces blood pressure.
Functions that were slowed down before are started again (e.g. digestion, urination)

Question 5

What is the reason for increased heart rate during the fight or flight response? [1 mark]

Answer 5

To increase blood flow to organs and increase the movement of adrenaline around body.

Question 6

What is the reason for increased breathing rate during the fight or flight response? [1 mark]

Answer 6

To increase oxygen intake.

Question 7

What is the reason for pupil dilation during the fight or flight response? [1 mark]

Answer 7

To increase the amount of light entering the eye and enhance vision (especially in the dark)

Question 8

What is the reason for sweat production during the fight or flight response? [1 mark]

Answer 8

To regulate temperature.

Question 9

What is the reason for a reduction of non-essential functions during the fight or flight response? [1 mark]

Answer 9

To increase energy for other essential functions.

Question 10

Which two regions of the brain are involved in the fight or flight response? [2 marks]

Answer 10

Hypothalamus

Pituitary gland

Question 11

Where is the hypothalamus located?

Answer 11

Above the pituitary gland, below the thalamus.