AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
Outline the endocrine system -correct answer The endocrine system works along side
the nervous system and essentially is very similar in the sense that it controls vital
functions in the body. However the endocrine system works much more slowly with
much more powerful effects.
Instead of using nerves to transmit information it uses blood vessels to deliver
hormones.
Endocrine glands produce and release hormones with the main ones being the
pituitary gland and the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands are on top of the kidneys. The outer part is called the adrenal
cortex and the inner is the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex releases hormones
which are essential to life whereas the adrenal medulla are not.
The adrenal cortex produces cortisol which regulates cardiovascular and anti-
inflammatory functions.
, AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline, which increases heart rate and thus blood
flow to the brain, and noradrenaline which constricts blood vessels causing blood
pressure to go up.
Outline the fight or flight response -correct answer When a person experiences a life
threatening or stressful situation the body responds with what is known as the fight
or flight response. It is an evolutionary adaptive survival mechanism enabling us to
react quickly to certain stimuli.
However this response now days is activated too often to non life threatening
situations such as exam stress.
It works by as follows, when faced with a stressful situation the amygdala is activated
a signal is then sent to the hypothalamus which uses the sympathetic nervous system
to communicate with the rest of the body.
It's response to acute stress takes the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM). When the
SNS is triggered it sends a signal to the adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline
, AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
into the blood. The adrenaline causes the heart to beat faster allowing for more
blood into the brain. After a while the parasympathetic nervous system is triggered
causing the stress response to be dampened down.
After 20 minutes if the stress is continued, it is then known as chronic stress and the
response is different. Instead of the sympathomedullary pathway it takes the
hypothalamic pituitary adrenal system (HPA).
The hypothalamus releases the chemical corticotrophin releasing hormone into the
blood stream, this arrives at the pituitary gland causing it to release
adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This is then targeted at the adrenal gland, specifically
the adrenal cortex, causing the release of cortisol which gives a quick burst of energy
and higher pain thresholds. However it can lower both the immune system and
impair cognitive performance.
, AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
Evaluate the fight or flight response -correct answer :( - Research suggests that
females have a different behavioural response to stress, known as tend and befriend.
This is due to women's role as a PCG, they are thus more likely to protect themselves
and their children through nurturing behaviours and forming alliances with other
women. This suggests that therefore women may have evolved differently saying that
the fight or flight response can not be applied to both genders.
:( - The flight part of fight or flight could be detrimental to the safety of women's
offspring. Research conducted with rats found that women may release oxytocin
which inhibits flight. This hormone has been shown to increase relaxation. This
research further shows evidence for the fight or flight not being able to be applied to
women.
:( - The fight or flight response is an evolutionary survival technique however modern
day life can trigger this too frequently in inappropriate situations. This can be
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
Outline the endocrine system -correct answer The endocrine system works along side
the nervous system and essentially is very similar in the sense that it controls vital
functions in the body. However the endocrine system works much more slowly with
much more powerful effects.
Instead of using nerves to transmit information it uses blood vessels to deliver
hormones.
Endocrine glands produce and release hormones with the main ones being the
pituitary gland and the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands are on top of the kidneys. The outer part is called the adrenal
cortex and the inner is the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex releases hormones
which are essential to life whereas the adrenal medulla are not.
The adrenal cortex produces cortisol which regulates cardiovascular and anti-
inflammatory functions.
, AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
The adrenal medulla releases adrenaline, which increases heart rate and thus blood
flow to the brain, and noradrenaline which constricts blood vessels causing blood
pressure to go up.
Outline the fight or flight response -correct answer When a person experiences a life
threatening or stressful situation the body responds with what is known as the fight
or flight response. It is an evolutionary adaptive survival mechanism enabling us to
react quickly to certain stimuli.
However this response now days is activated too often to non life threatening
situations such as exam stress.
It works by as follows, when faced with a stressful situation the amygdala is activated
a signal is then sent to the hypothalamus which uses the sympathetic nervous system
to communicate with the rest of the body.
It's response to acute stress takes the sympathomedullary pathway (SAM). When the
SNS is triggered it sends a signal to the adrenal medulla which releases adrenaline
, AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
into the blood. The adrenaline causes the heart to beat faster allowing for more
blood into the brain. After a while the parasympathetic nervous system is triggered
causing the stress response to be dampened down.
After 20 minutes if the stress is continued, it is then known as chronic stress and the
response is different. Instead of the sympathomedullary pathway it takes the
hypothalamic pituitary adrenal system (HPA).
The hypothalamus releases the chemical corticotrophin releasing hormone into the
blood stream, this arrives at the pituitary gland causing it to release
adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This is then targeted at the adrenal gland, specifically
the adrenal cortex, causing the release of cortisol which gives a quick burst of energy
and higher pain thresholds. However it can lower both the immune system and
impair cognitive performance.
, AQA A Level Psychology Biopsychology
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and 100% Correct Verified Answers
[Grade A] – University of California
Evaluate the fight or flight response -correct answer :( - Research suggests that
females have a different behavioural response to stress, known as tend and befriend.
This is due to women's role as a PCG, they are thus more likely to protect themselves
and their children through nurturing behaviours and forming alliances with other
women. This suggests that therefore women may have evolved differently saying that
the fight or flight response can not be applied to both genders.
:( - The flight part of fight or flight could be detrimental to the safety of women's
offspring. Research conducted with rats found that women may release oxytocin
which inhibits flight. This hormone has been shown to increase relaxation. This
research further shows evidence for the fight or flight not being able to be applied to
women.
:( - The fight or flight response is an evolutionary survival technique however modern
day life can trigger this too frequently in inappropriate situations. This can be
