Identify the correct sequence according to the General Adaptation Syn…

Identify the correct sequence according to the General Adaptation Syndrome.

(A) Resistance
(B) Presence of a noxious stimulus
(C) Alarm Reaction
(D) Exhaustion

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → (B), (C), (A), (D)

Selye called the similar pattern of bodily response to prolonged stress the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). It has three stages, set off by a stressor:

(B) Presence of a noxious stimulus — the noxious stimulus or stressor starts the whole response.
(C) Alarm Reaction — the stressor activates the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system, hormones producing the stress response are released, and the person is ready for fight or flight.
(A) Resistance — if stress is prolonged, the parasympathetic nervous system calls for more cautious use of the body’s resources and the organism tries to cope with the threat.
(D) Exhaustion — continued exposure drains the body of its resources; the systems of the earlier stages become ineffective and stress-related diseases become more likely.

NCERT (2025-26): “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 (see Fig.3.3).

1. Alarm reaction stage : The presence of a noxious stimulus or stressor leads to activation of the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system. This triggers the release of hormones producing the stress response. Now the individual is ready for fight or flight.
2. Resistance stage : If stress is prolonged, the resistance stage begins. The parasympathetic nervous system calls for more cautious use of the body’s resources. The organism makes efforts to cope with the threat, as through confrontation.
3. Exhaustion stage : Continued exposure to the same stressor or additional stressors drains the body of its resources and leads to the third stage of exhaustion. The physiological systems involved in alarm reaction and resistance become ineffective and susceptibility to stress-related diseases such as high blood pressure becomes more likely.…”

NCERT extract