Question

Why does Dick’s heart race when he confronts a lion on a jungle exploration in Africa, but hardly ever races when he sees his neighbor’s kitten?

Answer 1

Dick’s heart races when he confronts a lion on a jungle exploration in Africa due to the fight and flight response due to acute stress which triggers the sympathetic nervous system leading to a release of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline which lead to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. However, the sight of the neighbor’s kitten is not frightening; hence it does not trigger the fight or flight response.