Fight or Flight response

Question 1

What is the response that forces humans to either confront or run away from environmental threats?

Answer 1

• Fight or Flight response

Question 2

What branch of the nervous system does the response come from?

Answer 2

• Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Sympathetic branch of ANS

Question 3

What does the F/F response do?

Answer 3

• Reflex response designed to help someone react quicker than normal circumstances

Question 4

What is the process of the F/F response?

Answer 4

• Body appraises a situation using sensory & stored memories
• Hippocampus & amygdala try recognise emotional reactions to stimuli & access stored memories of danger
• If situation is appraised as dangerous, hypothalamus is alerted
• Hypothalamus controls systems that control stress response
• 2 Systems: HPA axis (pituitary adrenal system) & SAM pathway (sympathomedullary pathway)

Question 5

What response does the exam board want us solely to focus on?

Answer 5

• Hypothalamus recognises a stressful situation
• Hypothalamus causes SAM pathway to react (acute stressor)

Question 6

Outline body’s response to acute stress (immediate stress) in the SAM pathway?
(6 stages)

Answer 6

1. Situation perceived as stressful through passed memories using amygdala & hippocampus
2. Hypothalamus (CNS) alerted & recognises stress as acute
3. SAM pathway activated by the sympathetic branch of ANS
4. Stimulates adrenal glands (specifically adrenal medulla)
5. Adrenal medulla secretes adrenalin & noradrenalin
6. Hormones prepare body for F/F response
7. After a few mins of F/F the parasympathetic branch of ANS is activated
   - This reduces F/F response & returns body to homeostasis

Question 7

What bodily effects occur during F/F?

Answer 7

• Increased perspiration (sweat) as body needs to be cooled to temp is controlled
• Increased respiration (breathing) as increased oxygen sustains the body
• Increased blood flow to muscles as they will be expected to start moving for fighting/running
• Increased heart rate to increase blood flow
• Pupil dilates so vision isn’t impaired as eyes can take in more light
• Reduced digestive activity as energy needs to be conserved

Question 8

How does adrenalin cause faster respiration?

Answer 8

• Increases amount of glucose to intercostal muscle cells
• enabling lungs to work faster & increase oxygen intake