After alarm reaction stage, if stress is prolonged, __________________ begins where para sympathetic nervous system calls for more cautious use of the body’s resources. The organism makes efforts to cope with the threat, as through confrontation.

Resistance stage

The correct answer is option 3: Resistance stage

• In Hans Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) model of stress response, there are three stages:

  1. Alarm Reaction Stage ➔ Immediate reaction to stress.

  2. Resistance Stage ➔ The body tries to cope with the stress and uses resources cautiously, mainly under the influence of the parasympathetic nervous system.

  3. Exhaustion Stage ➔ If stress continues for too long, the body's resources get depleted.

• The Resistance Stage is where the organism actively fights the stressor while trying to maintain stability.

Thus, after the Alarm Reaction, the Resistance Stage begins if stress is prolonged.