Do Now:
a) List at least four things or situations that trigger your fear response.
b) List at least four changes that occur in your body when you respond to a frightening situation.
Before watching this video,how do you feel right now ( i.e relaxed, tired, normal)?
Now watch this video and record how you feel now.
Would you fight or flight?
Activity 2: Read the following and answer questions 5-8.
What is the purpose of fear and the fight-or-flight response?
Explain why people do not need to be taught to make a fight-or-flight response.
What part of the brain would best be called the “fear emotion center"?
What part of the brain sends signals to many different parts of the body to make the fight-orflight response?
Use this information to sort the situations into the 2 categories for question 9.
Categorize the bodily responses to fight/flight or relaxation.
Muscles tense
Pupils of eyes constrict (close) to decrease the amount of light entering the eye
Muscles relax
Blood vessels to muscles and lungs dilate (open)
Blood vessels to brain, skin, and digestive system dilate (open)
Heart rate increases
Blood vessels to skin, brain, and digestive system constrict (close)
Pupils of eyes dilate (open) to increase the amount of light entering the eye
Breathing rate increases
Heart rate decreases
Airway tubes to lungs dilate (open)
Breathing rate decreases
Airway tubes to lungs constrict (close)
Sweat glands release more perspiration
Blood vessels to muscles and lungs constrict (close)
Sweat glands release less perspiration
Fight/ Flight
Relax
For each of the situations below ( questions 10 and 11), explain if the parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system will be working.
After you are finished eating a meal. Parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system and why?
Warming up before a game. Parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system and why?
Activity 3: Fear Hormones
Read the following and answer questions 12- 17
What endocrine glands produces and secretes fear hormones—adrenaline and cortisol?
Identify if adrenaline (also called epinephrine) would increase or decrease each of the following:
-Heart Rate
-Breathing Rate
-Airways leading to lungs
-Digestion
Adrenaline increases breathing rate and opens the airways to the lungs. Explain why this is important for the vigorous muscle activity needed for a fight-or-flight response.
Cortisol elevates blood glucose (sugar) level. Explain why this is important in a frightening situation.
Adrenaline increases heartbeat rate and dilates (opens) blood vessels to the muscles. Explain why this is important for the vigorous muscle activity needed for a fight-or-flight response.
Sort the hormone that is most closely associated with each of the following statements.
During periods of prolonged starvation, this hormone is secreted to maintain blood sugar levels.
This hormone may be used as a medication when the heart stops beating or when an allergic reaction closes of airways.
This hormone may be used as a medication to reduce inflammation, allergic reactions, and diseases in which the immune system attacks the body.
Cortisol
Adrenaline
