Which stage completes the General Adaptation Syndrome sequence?

Which stage completes the General Adaptation Syndrome sequence?

• A. Alarm
• B. Resistance
• C. Homeostasis
• D. Recovery or Exhaustion

Answer: (D)

General Adaptation Syndrome describes how the body responds to ongoing stress in three stages: an initial alarm reaction, a period of resistance where the body tries to cope, and a final stage of exhaustion when resources are depleted and the ability to adapt is overwhelmed. Homeostasis is simply the normal steady state, not a stage in this sequence. The final stage is exhaustion, because after prolonged stress the body’s adaptive resources are exhausted, leading to reduced function and greater vulnerability. The option that lists recovery or exhaustion aligns with ending the sequence by identifying exhaustion as the concluding phase, with recovery only possible if the stressor is removed and the body replenishes afterward.

General Adaptation Syndrome describes how the body responds to ongoing stress in three stages: an initial alarm reaction, a period of resistance where the body tries to cope, and a final stage of exhaustion when resources are depleted and the ability to adapt is overwhelmed. Homeostasis is simply the normal steady state, not a stage in this sequence. The final stage is exhaustion, because after prolonged stress the body’s adaptive resources are exhausted, leading to reduced function and greater vulnerability. The option that lists recovery or exhaustion aligns with ending the sequence by identifying exhaustion as the concluding phase, with recovery only possible if the stressor is removed and the body replenishes afterward.