Final answer:
The general adaptation syndrome consists of three stages: alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion, describing how the body responds to stress over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general adaptation syndrome involves three distinct stages: (1) alarm reaction, (2) stage of resistance, and (3) stage of exhaustion. The alarm reaction is the body's immediate response to stress, involving a cascade of physiological reactions, such as the fight-or-flight response. If the stressor persists, the body enters the stage of resistance, where the initial shock of the alarm reaction has worn off, and the body has adapted to the stressor but stays alert. Prolonged stress leads to the stage of exhaustion, where the body may suffer from various health issues such as depression, weak immune response, fatigue, or even a heart attack due to the continuous production of stress hormones.