Final answer:
The hiker's physiological response to a rattlesnake is known as the fight-or-flight response, which prepares the body to either confront or escape from threats.
Step-by-step explanation:
The response that Jake's hiking partner experiences in the scenario described is called the fight-or-flight response. This is an involuntary reaction mediated by the nervous and endocrine systems, which prepares the body to either confront the threat (fight) or escape from it (flight). When a threat like a rattlesnake is perceived, the body releases adrenaline and other hormones to trigger a range of physiological changes: pupils dilate, heart rate increases, breathing becomes heavy, and muscles tense up—readying an individual for quick action.