Which statement best describes the exhaustion stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Which statement best describes the exhaustion stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

• A. Energy is depleted, cannot adapt, and dies.
• B. Energy increases, enhancing adaptation
• C. Immune function is maximally activated
• D. Homeostasis is achieved immediately

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is what happens when a stressor persists long enough that the body's initial defenses can no longer be sustained. In the exhaustion stage, the resources that were mobilized to cope—energy stores, hormones, immune responses—become depleted after sustained activation. The body’s ability to adapt diminishes, leading to fatigue, weakness, and a higher risk for illness because immune function often becomes suppressed rather than amplified. Homeostasis isn’t re-established; instead, the system is overwhelmed and the risk of breakdown—organ dysfunction or failure—increases if the stress continues. The other statements don’t fit this phase: energy doesn’t keep increasing to support adaptation; immune function is not maximally activated—in fact, it’s typically diminished; and homeostasis isn’t achieved immediately or during exhaustion.

The main idea here is what happens when a stressor persists long enough that the body's initial defenses can no longer be sustained. In the exhaustion stage, the resources that were mobilized to cope—energy stores, hormones, immune responses—become depleted after sustained activation. The body’s ability to adapt diminishes, leading to fatigue, weakness, and a higher risk for illness because immune function often becomes suppressed rather than amplified. Homeostasis isn’t re-established; instead, the system is overwhelmed and the risk of breakdown—organ dysfunction or failure—increases if the stress continues. The other statements don’t fit this phase: energy doesn’t keep increasing to support adaptation; immune function is not maximally activated—in fact, it’s typically diminished; and homeostasis isn’t achieved immediately or during exhaustion.