During which stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is the body fully aroused to respond to a stressor?

The General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) is a model that describes the physiological response to stress, and it consists of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The correct answer is the alarm stage, during which the body experiences an immediate response to a perceived stressor. During this stage, the body's fight-or-flight response is activated, leading to heightened arousal and readiness to face the stressor.

In the alarm stage, physiological changes occur, such as increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This prepares the body to react quickly and effectively to the threat. In contrast, the resistance stage follows the alarm stage, where the body attempts to adapt to the ongoing stressor and achieve a stable state. If the stressor persists, the exhaustion stage may occur, characterized by depletion of energy and resources.

This hierarchical understanding of GAS highlights that the alarm stage is crucial for initiating an active response to stress, serving as the body's initial defense mechanism.