Fight or Flight Response

Question 1

what is the fight or flight response

Answer 1

a sequence of activity within the body which is triggered when the body prepares itself for defending/attacking or running to safety

Question 2

what does the fight or flight response involve

Answer 2

changes in the nervous system and the secretion of hormones that are necessary to sustain arousal

Question 3

when is the amygdala mobilised

Answer 3

when faced with threat

Question 4

what does the amygdala do

Answer 4

associates sensory signals with emotions (eg fear), sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus which communicates with the rest of the body through the sympathetic nervous system

Question 5

what are the two types of stress

Answer 5

acute and chronic

Question 6

what is acute stress

Answer 6

short lived, immediate stress

Question 7

what is the body’s response to acute stress

Answer 7

activates the sympathetic nervous system, sends a message to the adrenal medulla which then releases the hormone adrenaline and the neurotransmitter noradrenaline

Question 8

what three physical changes does adrenaline cause

Answer 8

heart beats faster, breathing becomes more rapid, blood sugar and fats get released into the bloodstream

Question 9

what effect does a faster heart beat have

Answer 9

pushes blood to the muscles and other vital organs

Question 10

what effect does rapid breathing have

Answer 10

means the body takes in more oxygen, to supply to the muscles

Question 11

what effect does glucose and fats being released into the bloodstream have

Answer 11

supplies energy to the body, preparing for the fight or flight response

Question 12

what happens in the body when the threat has passed

Answer 12

the parasympathetic nervous system dampens down the stress response, slowing heart rate, reducing blood pressure and digestion begins again

Question 13

what is chronic stress

Answer 13

longer lasting, ongoing stress

Question 14

what is the body’s response to chronic stress

Answer 14

the hypothalamus recognises a stressful event, sends a message to the pituitary gland which releases ACTH, stimulating the adrenal cortex which releases the hormone cortisol

Question 15

is the body’s response to chronic stress effective

Answer 15

very effective at regulating itself, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands monitor cortisol levels, reducing ACTH levels

Question 16

what 4 effects does cortisol have on the body

Answer 16

gives quick bursts of energy, lowers sensitivity to pain, impairs cognitive performance and lowers the immune system (to fight the stresser not antibodies)

Question 17

what is the body’s response to acute stress known as

Answer 17

SAMA

Question 18

what is the body’s response to chronic stress known as

Answer 18

HPA Axis