Fight or Flight Flashcards
What is the fight or flight response
-An innate, unconcious reflex response facilitated by the automatic, sympathetic nervous system when an external threat is detected-triggers the release of adrenaline and noadrenaline to the brain and endocrine system, produces physical changes which allow us to fight or run away from the external threat and allow us to survive.
What happens when the hypothalamus detects an external threat
-It sends a message to the adrenal glands triggering the release of adrenaline and noadrenaline to the brain and body systems.
What chemicals are released by adrenal glands
Adrenaline
Function of adrenaline
-Produces physical changes allowing the body to fight the external threat or run away from it by increasing the available energy we have in our body and improving vision and reaction time allowing us to fight or run away more effectively.
What physical changes does adrenaline produce and their function.
-Increased heart rate-allows more blood flow to organs-increased ATP to fight or run away
-Increased breathing rate-more oxygen to organs and muscles-increased energy to run away or fight
-Muscle tension- increases reaction time and speed increasing sucess at fighting or running away
-Pupil dilation-better vision
-Increased perspiration-regulates body temperature
-Inhibited immune and digestion function-conserve energy for major organs and muscles-more energy to fight or flight
physical changes from adrenaline
-Decreased immune system and digestion function
-Pupil dilation
-Increased heart rate
-Increased breathing rate
-Muscle tension
-Increased sweating.
Effects of fight or flight on behaviour
-Anxiety can lead to an increased, heightened flight or fight response and lead to them being in a fight/fight response more often as the hyperthalamus is more active and wrongfully detects external threats leading to high levels of stress etc.
