Stress

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

Anything that disrupts homeostasis or physiological response to stressful stimuli

Question 2

What is a physiological stressor?

Answer 2

Stimuli which lead to fear, anxiety or frustration

Question 3

Physiological stressor examples

Answer 3

Traumatic events 
Death 
Divorce 
Conflict 
Abuse 
War

Question 4

What is a physical stressor?

Answer 4

Stimuli which disrupt normal body function (may be internal or external)

Question 5

Physical stressor examples

Answer 5

Hypoxia, infection, physical strain, exposure to heat/cold

Question 6

What is the response to stress categorised as?

Answer 6

General adaptation syndrome

Question 7

What are the 3 stages of the general adaption syndrome?

Answer 7

1. Alarm: preparing you for fight or flight, heightened alertness, increased energy
2. Resistance: stay alert, but keep on with normal functioning (adaptation), homeostasis maintained
3. Exhaustion: resources are depleted, ‘burn out’ sets in, homeostasis cannot be maintained so function is impaired, long-term damage occurs

Question 8

What hormone is made in the medulla?

Answer 8

Adrenaline & noradrenaline

Question 9

What hormone is made in the cortex?

Answer 9

Steroid hormones

Question 10

80% of adrenal glands are located where?

Answer 10

Cortex

Question 11

When is aldosterone produced?

Answer 11

In response to changes in ECF volume/blood pressure and stress

Question 12

Are androgens produced in males or females?

Answer 12

BOTH (but only in small amounts)

Question 13

When are glucocorticoids produced?

Answer 13

In response to stress

Question 14

What do glucocorticoids do?

Answer 14

• Allows the body to cope with stress by increasing availability of energy and amino acids
• Increase vascular reactivity
• Stimulates brain function
• Affects mood and increases alertness
• Is responsible for immune suppression in chronic stress

Question 15

What does the adrenal medulla produce and when?

Answer 15

Produces adrenaline and noradrenaline in response to DIRECT STIMULATION by sympathetic pre-ganglionic neuron from splanchnic nerve
- It is released directly into the bloodstream to act on distant target tissues

Question 16

Normal hormone vs. adrenaline/noradrenaline

Answer 16

• A normal hormone will travel along a pre-ganglionic fibre that has a direct connection with a post-ganglionic fibre. This then has a direct connection with the target tissue
• Adrenaline/noradrenaline will travel along a pre-ganglionic fibre that will synapse directly in the adrenal medulla. Instead of having a post-ganglionic fibre, it will go straight into the bloodstream and go anywhere in the body