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After not eating since breakfast 6 hours ago, a student taking a test notices a period of hunger and fatigue. He doesn't have access to food because he is taking the test. About 10 minutes later, though, he begins to feel ok again and finishes the test with flying colors. What has happened in his body?

1) A compensatory response called glycogenolysis allowed him to access stored glucose for energy.
2) A decompensatory response occurred, in which adrenalin increased and caused more blood flow to the brain.
3) Since his blood sugar was likely low, the heart underwent a compensatory response known as hypertrophy in order to increase blood flow to central organs.
4) Using a control mechanism known as hyperventilation, the student was able to "blow off" excess CO₂ and thus have a clearer thinking process.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The student experienced a period of hunger and fatigue but was able to finish the test successfully due to a compensatory response called glycogenolysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student experienced a period of hunger and fatigue during the test because he had not eaten since breakfast, depleting his glycogen reserves which provide short-term energy. However, after about 10 minutes, he began to feel okay again and finished the test successfully. This was likely due to a compensatory response called glycogenolysis, which allowed the body to access stored glucose for energy.

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