Final answer:
The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction to perceived threats that prepares the body to either confront or escape danger.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fight-or-flight response is a set of physiological changes that occur in the body when faced with a perceived threat or dangerous situation. This response is an involuntary reaction mediated by the nervous and endocrine systems. When a threat is detected, hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine are released, triggering reactions like increased heart rate, heightened sensory perception, and energy mobilization, preparing the body to either confront the danger (fight) or escape from it (flight). Though essential for survival in historical contexts with physical dangers, in the modern world, these reactions are often triggered by psychological stress, which can lead to negative health effects due to the inability to physically act on these reactions.