Question

In which stage of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome, the presence of noxious stimulus or stressor leads to the activation of the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system?

• A. Resistance stage
• B. Exhaustion stage
• C. Alarm reaction stage
• D. Burnout stage

Hint:

The alarm reaction stage starts the adrenal-pituitary-cortex activity, so the answer is option (3).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Hans Selye described the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) as the body's three stage reply to long lasting stress. The stages are alarm reaction, resistance and exhaustion.

Step 2: Key Fact.
In the alarm reaction stage the body first meets the stressor. The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which signals the adrenal cortex, and stress hormones are released. This is the activation of the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system.

Step 3: Check option (1) Resistance stage.
In this stage the body tries to cope and adapt to the continuing stressor. The system is already active, so it is not where activation begins. (1) is wrong.

Step 4: Check option (2) Exhaustion stage.
Here the body's energy is used up after long stress and illness can appear. This is the end of the process, so (2) is wrong.

Step 5: Check option (3) Alarm reaction stage.
The first meeting with the stressor switches on the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system. So (3) is correct.

Step 6: Check option (4) Burnout stage.
Burnout is not one of the three stages of Selye's model. So (4) is wrong.

Final Answer:
The adrenal-pituitary-cortex system is switched on in the alarm reaction stage, option (3).