Fight or Flight Response

Question 1

Outline the process of fight-or-flight response

Answer 1

1. Acute stressor
   Person feels the perceived demands of a situation are greater than their ability to cope
2. Hypothalamus directs the sympathetic branch of the automatic nervous system to send neurotransmitters to adrenal medula
3. Adrenaline & noradrenaline
   Released by adrenal medulla into the bloodstream
4. ‘Fight-or-flight’ response
   Triggers number of physiological reactions
   a. Activation of emergency functions
   Increased heart rate/blood pressure -> oxygen to muscles -> prepare for increased physical activity
   b. Suppression of non-emergency functions
   E.g. digestion -> change in stomach activity, saliva production ->dry mouth

5.Parasympathetic branch
(of the automatic nervous system) returns the body to normal after threat has passed

Question 2

Sympathetic state

Answer 2

Activation of emergency functions, suppression of non-emergency functions

increased heart rate
increased breathing rate
dilates pupils
inhibits digestion
inhibits saliva production
contracts rectum

Question 3

Parasympathetic state

Answer 3

decreases heart rate
decreases breathing rate
constricts pupils
stimulates digestion
stimulates saliva production
relaxes rectum