Question

Fight or flight reaction cause activation of
A) The parathyroid glands leading to increased metabolic rate
B) The kidney leading to suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway
C) The adrenal medulla leading to increased secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine
D) The pancreas leading to a reduction in blood sugar levels

Answer 1

Flight or fight response is a type of physiological response to prevent an attack, at times of danger or for survival. Physical, neural, and endocrine changes occur in the body which decides to fight or flee.

Complete answer: Fight or flight response is also called acute stress response and is given by the body at times of danger or stress. The sympathetic nervous system is activated which stimulates the release of catecholamines which are adrenaline and noradrenaline. The fight or flight response prepares the body for rapid action. In the case of phobia flight or fight, the response is activated and adrenaline is released whenever we see the object of fear.
Common signs shown during this response are-
i. Pupils are dilated to increase the amount of light entering the eye.
ii. Saliva production decreases and mouth becomes dry and the production of gastric juices also decreases.
iii. Sweating in the body increases and smell perception also increases. Body odour also increases also known as diaphoresis.
iv. Blood flow decreases to the arms, brain, eyes, ears, and other body parts which leads to pale skin.
v. In case of dangerous or stressed situations heart rate increases, vision is narrowed.
All these actions are automatic and prepare the body for survival during dangerous times.
Hence, option C is correct Flight or fight response causes activation of the adrenal medulla leading to increased secretion of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine.

Note: At times of distress amygdala sends a signal to the hypothalamus which activates the sympathetic nervous system. Adrenal glands pump the hormone epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream which leads to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate increases, the brain becomes more alert and other senses become sharper.