The primary role of adrenaline is to prepare the body for a response to a situation. It causes the heart to beat faster, supplying more oxygen to muscles. It also diverts blood from the digestive system and skin to skeletal muscles, contributing to increased physical readiness.
What is the primary role of adrenaline in the body, and how does it affect the heart and skeletal muscles in response to a perceived threat or activity?
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The primary role of adrenaline in the body is to prepare it for a “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat or activity. Adrenaline acts on the heart by increasing the heart rate (positive chronotropic effect) and enhancing the force of contraction (positive inotropic effect). This results in increased cardiac output, ensuring more oxygen-rich blood is delivered to tissues. Simultaneously, adrenaline acts on skeletal muscles, promoting vasodilation and increasing blood flow. It also stimulates the breakdown of glycogen into glucose, providing a rapid energy source for heightened physical activity. Adrenaline’s overall effect prepares the body for immediate, intense, and coordinated action.