Table 1. Adaptation of Biological Systems to Stressors Level of Action of Stressor Biological Response (examples)

perspiration is the specific response that serves to cool the body through evaporation, and there are also a host of nonspecific responses which is the stress response. For example, in humans, the stress response includes the typical fight-or-flight response in which adrenalin is released and a cascade of biochemical and physiological events occur. These lead to an increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, reduced immune function, and many other changes at various systemic levels. This nonspecific response to a stressor is the stress response. Stressors may impact one or more levels of biological organization. There are a host of appropriate biological responses to stressors that enable organisms to counteract them, adapt, and survive. (See Table 1)