arousal

n. A general term for bodily preparation to act usually involving the reticular activating system (RAS), increased heart and respiration rates, diversion of blood to the skeletal muscles and away from the internal organs, suppression of immune function, and increased alertness with a narrowed focus and a faster response time. is sometimes used in a more specific sense to denote higher levels of activity in a particular brain area such as in occipital arousal.