NEET 2026
- Exam
- NEET
- Year
- 2026
- Subject
- Biology
- Chapter
- Chapter
NEET 2026 · Biology · Chapter
During a "fight or flight" response, the adrenal medulla rapidly...
During a "fight or flight" response, the adrenal medulla rapidly releases catecholamines into the bloodstream. Which of the following sets of physiological and metabolic changes is correctly associated with the action of these hormones?
Options
- AIncreased alertness, piloerection, and inhibition of protein breakdown
- BProfuse sweating, increased rate of respiration, and breakdown of lipids
- CPupillary dilation, decreased heart rate, and breakdown of glycogen
- DSweating, increased strength of heart contraction, and stimulation of glycogenesis
Correct answer
B. Profuse sweating, increased rate of respiration, and breakdown of lipids
Step-by-step solution
During a fight or flight response, the adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine). These hormones prepare the body for emergency situations by inducing several physiological and metabolic changes.
The physiological effects include increased alertness, pupillary dilation, piloerection (raising of hairs), profuse sweating, increased heart rate, increased strength of heart contraction, and an increased rate of respiration.
The metabolic effects include the stimulation of glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) to increase blood glucose levels, as well as the breakdown of lipids (lipolysis) and proteins (proteolysis).
Evaluating the given options:
Option (A) is incorrect because catecholamines stimulate, rather than inhibit, protein breakdown.
Option (C) is incorrect because they increase, rather than decrease, the heart rate.
Option (D) is incorrect because they stimulate glycogenolysis, not glycogenesis.
Option (B) correctly lists profuse sweating, increased rate of respiration, and breakdown of lipids as effects of catecholamines.
Answer: Profuse sweating, increased rate of respiration, and breakdown of lipids
The physiological effects include increased alertness, pupillary dilation, piloerection (raising of hairs), profuse sweating, increased heart rate, increased strength of heart contraction, and an increased rate of respiration.
The metabolic effects include the stimulation of glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) to increase blood glucose levels, as well as the breakdown of lipids (lipolysis) and proteins (proteolysis).
Evaluating the given options:
Option (A) is incorrect because catecholamines stimulate, rather than inhibit, protein breakdown.
Option (C) is incorrect because they increase, rather than decrease, the heart rate.
Option (D) is incorrect because they stimulate glycogenolysis, not glycogenesis.
Option (B) correctly lists profuse sweating, increased rate of respiration, and breakdown of lipids as effects of catecholamines.
Answer: Profuse sweating, increased rate of respiration, and breakdown of lipids