Fight or Flight

• When do the endocrine and autonomic nervous system work together?

  In a stressful event
• What happens when a stressor is percieved?

  The hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland, triggering activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
• What happens to the autonomic nervous system when a stressor is perceived?

  Changes from the parasympathetic state to the physiologically aroused sympathetic state
• Where is adrenaline released from?

  The adrenal gland
• What does the release of adrenaline trigger?

  Physiological changes in the body, creating the physiological arousal necessary for fight or flight
• What are the sympathetic changes?

  Increased heart rate

  Increased breathing rate

  Dilated pupils

  Inhibition of digestion

  Inhibition of saliva production

  Contracted rectum
• What are the parasympathetic changes?

  Decreased heart rate

  Decreased breathing rate

  Constricted pupils

  Stimulated digestion

  Stimulated saliva production

  Relaxed rectum
• What happens once the threat has passed?

  Parasympathetic nervous system returns to resting state
• The actions of the parasympathetic system are antagonistic to the sympathetic system
• What is the 'Rest and digest' response?

  Where the parasympathetic system acts as a 'brake' and reduces activities increased by the sympathetic system
• What are the physiological changes associated with a sympathetic response experienced as?

  Sickness
• The fight or flight response happens as soon as the threat is detected
• What type of response is fight or flight?

  Acute and automatic
• Fight or flight

  The way an animal responds when stressed - the body becomes physiologically aroused to either fight or flight
• What is the fight or flight response?

  1. Stressor is perceived, hypothalamus triggers activity in sympathetic branch of ANS - changes from parasympathetic state to sympathetic state
  2. Adrenaline released from adrenal medulla
  3. Triggers physiological changes creating physiological arousal
  4. Once threat has passed, body returns to parasympathetic 'resting' state - rest and digest