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Why is the adrenaline hormone called fight or flight hormone?

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Last updated date: 25th Jul 2024
Total views: 417k
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Answer
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Hint: There are two branches of the adrenal gland: the outer glands (adrenal cortex) and the inner glands (adrenal medulla). The medulla releases hormones known as catecholamines – Adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Complete answer:
The "fight-or-flight hormone" is also known as adrenaline. It is released in response to a situation that is stressful, exciting, risky, or threatening. Adrenaline helps the body respond faster. It helps the heart pump faster, improves the flow of blood to the brain and muscles, and allows the body to use sugar for fuel.

Additional Information: In the brain, an adrenaline rush begins. The knowledge is sent to a section of the brain called the amygdala when you experience a dangerous or stressful situation. In emotional processing, this region of the brain plays a role.
If the amygdala perceives a threat, it sends a warning to another area of the brain known as the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus transmits a signal to the adrenal medulla through autonomic nerves. When the signal is received by the adrenal glands, they respond by releasing adrenaline into the bloodstream.
Adrenaline once in the bloodstream:
-t binds to liver cell receptors to break down larger sugar molecules, called glycogen, into a smaller, more readily available sugar called glucose, giving your muscles an energy boost.
-It binds to muscle cell receptors in the lungs, leading you to breathe faster.
-It triggers heart cells to beat faster,
-Induces the blood vessels to contract and direct blood to significant groups of muscles
- Contracts muscle cells to induce perspiration under the surface of the skin.
-Binds to pancreatic receptors to inhibit insulin output
The adrenaline rush is what allows you to avoid the course of danger before you've even had a chance to think about it.

Note: - Adrenaline is a hormone that the Inner adrenal glands (medulla) and some neurons produce. also called epinephrine.
- It's also referred to as an adrenaline rush when adrenaline is unexpectedly released.
- The command center of the brain is the hypothalamus. It interacts through the sympathetic nervous system with the rest of the body.
- Since these changes happen instantly, the bodily changes that occur when adrenaline circulates in the blood are usually called an adrenaline rush. They happen so quickly that you might not even completely process what's going on.