Explain how adrenaline prepares the body for the 'fight-or-flight' response. Include in your answer where adrenaline is produced and describe FOUR effects it has on the body.

Eduqas A-Level Biology — 4.1 Reproductive biology · Explain · 5 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (5 marks)

Adrenaline is released by the adrenal glands.
1. It increases heart rate and pulse.
2. It increases breathing rate.
3. It causes glycogen to be converted into glucose, providing energy for respiration.
4. It increases blood flow to the muscles.
5. It causes the pupils to dilate.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact terminology – ‘adrenal glands’ not ‘adrenal glands’; list the effects in order of importance; include the conversion of glycogen to glucose; mention both heart and breathing rates; mention pupils dilating as a visual cue of the response.

Common mistakes

  • Writing ‘adrenal glands’ instead of ‘adrenal glands’ (UK spelling); forgetting to mention glycogen conversion; omitting pupil dilation; not specifying that adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands.

Mark scheme (5 marks)

  1. Adrenaline is produced / released by the adrenal gland
  2. Adrenaline increases heart rate / pulse rate
  3. Adrenaline increases breathing rate
  4. Adrenaline causes glycogen to be converted into glucose (to provide energy for respiration)
  5. Adrenaline increases blood flow to muscles / causes pupils to widen (dilate)

Key terms in this question

adrenaline · fight-or-flight

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