Final answer:
Whether or not "the physical stress response" is set into motion depends FIRST on is whether a perceived threat triggers the release of stress hormones.
The initiation of the physical stress response primarily depends on an individual's perception of a situation as stressful, activating the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to a series of physiological changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether or not the physical stress response is set into motion depends FIRST on a person's perception and appraisal of a situation as threatening or demanding. When a person perceives something as stressful, the body's physiological mechanisms are triggered. This involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Initially, adrenaline is released, heightening responses such as heart rate and respiration.
Subsequently, the HPA axis releases hormones, including cortisol, which prepares the body to react through the fight-or-flight response. However, if this response is prolonged, it can lead to various health issues due to sustained elevation of stress hormones, which can weaken the immune system and contribute to conditions like hypertension and coronary artery disease.