Two-track response system
What is a Two-Track Response System?
A two-track response system is how our bodies respond to a certain amount of stress. The reason the name is two-track is because there are two different ways our bodies process this stress
Track #1: The fight or flight response, identified by Walter Cannon, is the faster of the two tracks. Here, the sympathetic nervous system responds to stress in multiple ways:
Example: You walk into your history class, and you realize you forgot to study for the big test. You become nervous which triggers your skin to perspire, heart to accelerate, and adrenal glands to secrete stress hormone.
Track #2: The slower of the two tracks, the cerebral cortex speeds up the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus. This discharges stress hormones, like cortisol, to the exterior adrenal glands
Example: Every Tuesday your history teacher gives the class a warm-up/review to start the class. Your seat partner is always sick. As the warm-ups/reviews become harder, your body releases cortisol which weakens your immune system. You now have a higher chance of catching your seat partners illness because of the excessive cortisol.
Track #1: The fight or flight response, identified by Walter Cannon, is the faster of the two tracks. Here, the sympathetic nervous system responds to stress in multiple ways:
- adrenal glands release epinephrine and norepinephrine
- respiration and heart rate increases
- blood flows from the digestive system to the skeletal muscles
- pain subsides
- the body releases excess sugar and fat
Example: You walk into your history class, and you realize you forgot to study for the big test. You become nervous which triggers your skin to perspire, heart to accelerate, and adrenal glands to secrete stress hormone.
Track #2: The slower of the two tracks, the cerebral cortex speeds up the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus. This discharges stress hormones, like cortisol, to the exterior adrenal glands
Example: Every Tuesday your history teacher gives the class a warm-up/review to start the class. Your seat partner is always sick. As the warm-ups/reviews become harder, your body releases cortisol which weakens your immune system. You now have a higher chance of catching your seat partners illness because of the excessive cortisol.