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Chapter 15: Problem 3

What is the fight-or-flight response? Why is it necessary for animals? For humans?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The fight-or-flight response is a survival mechanism that prepares one's body to either confront or escape from potential harm. For animals, this response can mean the difference between life and death in the moment of danger. For humans, while it can be beneficial in moments of acute danger, the chronic activation of the fight-or-flight response due to daily stressors can lead to serious health repercussions.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Fight-or-Flight Response

The fight or flight response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It was first defined by Walter Cannon in the early 20th century.
02

Significance in Animals

For animals, the fight-or-flight response is crucial for survival. This response prepares the body either for a physical confrontation or for fleetly escaping away from danger. It involves certain physiological changes such as the release of adrenaline, increased heart rate, dilation of pupils, and the redirection of blood flow away from non-essential functions to muscles to prepare the body for immediate action. These changes increase the animal's chance of survival in life-threatening situations.
03

Significance in Humans

In humans, the fight-or-flight response activates in dangerous situations, similar to animals. In a dangerous scenario, human bodies also prepare either to confront the situation or to run away from it. Physiological changes for humans include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, slowing of digestion, and enhanced brain activity for quick decision making. The knowledge of identifying these reactions helps people to manage stress better. However, the repeated activation of this response due to chronic stress can lead to health problems including anxiety, depression, heart disease,weigh issues, and a weakened immune response.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Measure a friend's heart rate. Then have the person think of a terrifying situation. Did the heart rate increase? Choose another person and measure his or her heart rate. Have the person think of a peaceful, calming situation. Did the heart rate decrease? Summarize your findings.

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