Final answer:
The action responding to stress is the release of stress hormones, which prepare the body for the fight-or-flight response, causing increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and a surge in energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The action that is a response to stress is the release of stress hormones. When the body perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are key hormones involved in the fight-or-flight response. This response includes physiological changes such as an increased heart rate, dilation of the bronchioles, and a spike in energy levels due to an increase in blood glucose. The release of stress hormones is designed to prepare the body to confront or flee from the perceived threat.
Other effects of these stress hormones include increased oxygen availability to cells, dilation of pupils, and prioritizing blood flow to essential organs such as the heart and brain. Contribution to the increased alertness, and energy supply is all crucial for the survival during a high-stress situation.