Assertion (A): In the General Adaptation Syndrome, continued exposure to the same stressor or additional stressors drains the body of its resources and leads to the third stage of exhaustion.
Reason (R): In the resistance stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, a noxious stimulus or stressor activates the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A) is true, but (R) is false.
| Statement | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Assertion (A): In the General Adaptation Syndrome, continued exposure to the same stressor or additional stressors drains the body of its resources and leads to the third stage of exhaustion. True. | In the exhaustion stage, long exposure to stressors uses up the body's resources. The person then becomes more open to stress-related diseases such as high blood pressure. |
| Reason (R): In the resistance stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome, a noxious stimulus or stressor activates the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system. False. | Activation of the adrenal-pituitary-cortex system by a noxious stimulus marks the alarm reaction stage, so the statement attaches it to the wrong stage. In the resistance stage the parasympathetic nervous system calls for more cautious use of the body's resources while the organism copes with the threat. |
NCERT (2026-27): “General Adaptation Syndrome … “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.” |