Question

It was a very dark night as Jane started to walk to her dorm from the campus library. She was thinking about tomorrow’s test when she heard heavy breathing and then a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a man looking at her while holding a bat. Without thinking, she swung her book bag with all her might – hitting the man in the chest and knocking him to the ground. Jane ran as fast as she could, running faster than she ever had back to her dorm. Her roommate couldn’t believe that 5 ft 1 Jane could take out a grown man and get as home as quick as she did.When Jane first got home, her heart was pounding; it felt like it was coming out of her chest! She was breathing rapidly; her mouth was dry and she felt extremely winded. Further, she was on edge and shaky. It was not until several hours later that Jane had finally calmed down enough to go to sleep.

a. Which part of Jane’s nervous system gave her the strength to knock the man to the ground and then run home fast? (Explain)

b. Which part of Jane’s nervous system helped calm down her body? (Explain)

Answer 1

• a)The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for intense physical activity and is often referred to as the fight-or-flight response.The fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety. All of the organs involved in getting ready for a physical challenge (“fight”) or preparing for a retreat (“flight”) are activated through this system.
• b)The parasympathetic nervous system has almost the exact opposite effect and relaxes the body and inhibits or slows many high energy functions.The parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”) helps produce a state of equilibrium in the body.
• In response to acute stress, the body's sympathetic nervous system is activated due to the sudden release of hormones. The sympathetic nervous systems stimulate the adrenal glands triggering the release of catecholamines, which include adrenaline and noradrenaline. This results in an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
• After the threat is gone, it takes between 20 to 60 minutes for the body to return to its pre-arousal levels.
• In the face of something frightening, your heartbeat quickened, you begin breathing faster, and your entire body becomes tense and ready to take action.This response can happen in the face of an imminent physical danger like what Jane experienced seeing the man.