In stressful situations, the fight or flight response primarily activates which system in the body?

The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction that occurs in response to perceived threats or stressful situations. This response is primarily controlled by the nervous system, specifically the autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic division that prepares the body for rapid action. When confronted with stress, the sympathetic nervous system triggers various changes in the body, such as increased heart rate, heightened alertness, and the release of adrenaline, all of which prime a person to either confront or evade the threat.

While other systems like the endocrine system also play a role in the stress response by releasing hormones such as cortisol, the immediate and acute response to stress is primarily a function of the nervous system. This is why the nervous system is considered the correct answer, as it lays the groundwork for the body’s rapid reactions to danger. The other systems mentioned, such as the digestive and immune systems, are not directly involved in the immediate fight or flight response and may even be temporarily suppressed during such situations.