Final answer:
Fear is an immediate emotional response to danger, causing physiological responses like rapid breathing and a racing heart, while anxiety is a lingering unease or distress about anticipated threats without immediate danger.Therefore correct option is A
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinction between fear and anxiety revolves around the type of threat and the duration of the emotional response. Fear is an emotional reaction to immediate danger. This reaction is part of the fight-or-flight response, a set of responses triggered by the sympathetic nervous system that prepares the body to face or escape a threat. Experiencing fear leads to physiological arousal like a racing heart, rapid breathing, and tense muscles, which have evolved from our ancestors who faced real physical dangers and needed these responses for survival.
In contrast, anxiety is a more persistent and often less tangible feeling of distress or uneasiness about potential threats, which may not be immediate or even likely to occur. It is commonly a response to high-arousal situations of a psychological nature, such as giving a presentation or taking an examination, and can lead to chronic stress, as well as potential negative health consequences like an increased susceptibility to heart disease and impaired immune function.
Overall, while both fear and anxiety involve the autonomic nervous system and can manifest in similar physiological responses, they differ principally in the immediacy of the threat and the duration of the emotional state experienced.