BIO 04 - Fight or Flight

Question 1

What occurs during the fight or flight response?

Answer 1

• When a stressor is detected by our senses, the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland (releasing ACTH) and this triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
• It is a reflex response that is designed to help an individual when under threat and is activated when stressed
• The fight or flight response helps an individual to react quicker than normal and facilitates optimal functioning, so that they can fight the threat or run away from it
• The ANS changes from its normal resting state (parasympathetic state) to the physiologically aroused sympathetic state.
• The stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream. Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body which creates the physiological arousal necessary for the fight or flight response
• Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state. The parasympathetic branch is antagonistic to the sympathetic nervous system.
• It works to reduce the changes in the body that occurred due to the activation of the sympathetic branch acting as a ‘brake’
• This is sometimes referred to as the rest and digest response
• All of this happens in an instant as soon as the threat is detected
• This is an acute response and an automatic reaction in the body