The collection of reactions generated by the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis is known as the

• A. conditioned stress response
• B. autonomic stress response
• C. stressor-stress response
• D. fight-or-flight response

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is the body’s rapid, integrated alarm system to threat, driven by the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis. When a danger is perceived, the sympathetic branch kicks in immediately, increasing heart rate and blood flow to muscles, dilating airways, and mobilizing energy. At the same time, the HPA axis releases hormones like cortisol to sustain energy and keep the body prepared for action. Together, these systems produce the fight-or-flight response, the classic set of physiological changes that prepare you to either confront or escape a threat. Other labels don’t capture this coordinated autonomic and hormonal mobilization; for example, conditioning refers to learned associations, and the more vague “autonomic stress response” or “stressor-stress response” aren’t standard terms for this integrated response.