Question

if you were suddenly very frightened what would happen to your free fatty acids level and why?

Answer 1

With frightening the amygdala of the midbrain is stimulated. This part triggers the hypothalamus, which can trigger the ACTH release from the pituitary gland. At the same time, the sympathetic nervous system get activated. That causes the epinephrine release to the blood.

With the ACTH release, the cortisol concentration in the blood increases by many folds, which can cause the blood pressure to increase and also causes the fatty acid breakdown. The fatty acids were usually stored within the adipose tissues as triglycerides. The breakdown/ mobilization of triglycerides occurs in response to large energy needs. Even the epinephrine can also trigger the fatty acid breakdown to a greater extend. thus increasing the concentration of free fatty acids in the blood.