According to Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), the body's response to prolonged stress typically causes which of the following?

• A. A predictable sequence of physiological changes including alarm, resistance, and exhaustion stages
• B. A decrease in all hormonal activity in the body
• C. Permanent immunity to future stressors
• D. Immediate recovery from stress without any physiological changes

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), which describes the body's physiological response to prolonged stress.
2. Identify the three stages of GAS: the alarm stage (initial reaction to stress), the resistance stage (adaptation to ongoing stress), and the exhaustion stage (when the body's resources are depleted).
3. Recognize that during the alarm stage, the body activates the fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
4. Note that in the resistance stage, the body attempts to cope with the stressor by maintaining elevated hormone levels and physiological arousal to resist the stress.
5. Understand that if the stress continues for too long, the exhaustion stage occurs, where the body's ability to resist is depleted, leading to potential health problems.