Which system is responsible for regulating the body’s response to stress?

The endocrine system is primarily responsible for regulating the body's response to stress through the release of hormones. When an individual experiences stress, the body activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to the secretion of hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. These hormones play a crucial role in the "fight or flight" response, which enables the body to react quickly to stressful situations.

While the nervous system also plays a role in managing stress responses through immediate reactions and signals, it is the endocrine system that provides the longer-lasting effects by regulating hormones that endure beyond the initial stress response. The muscular system and the digestive system are not directly involved in managing stress; rather, they have different primary functions such as movement and digestion, respectively. Thus, the correct answer highlights the essential role of the endocrine system in managing and regulating stress responses in the body.