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What is the correct sequence of stages of the General Adaptation Synd…

What is the correct sequence of stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Alarm reaction -> Resistance -> Exhaustion

Selye described the body's reaction to prolonged stress in three stages in a fixed order, beginning with the alarm reaction, followed by resistance, and ending in exhaustion when bodily resources are drained.

NCERT (2026-27): “General Adaptation Syndrome
What happens to the body when stress is prolonged? Selye studied this issue by subjecting animals to a variety of stressors such as high temperature, X-rays and insulin injections, in the laboratory over a long period of time. He also observed patients with various injuries and illnesses in hospitals. Selye noticed a similar pattern of bodily response in all of them. He called this pattern the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). According to him, GAS involves three stages: alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion. …”