10.3 - Stress Response

Question 1

Explain short-term stress response

Answer 1

Hypothalamus immediately sends nerves signal to adrenal gland (spinal cord)
- cells spinal cord cells stimulate adrenal medulla (target) to secret hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 2

What is the purpose of short-term stress response? Explain how

Answer 2

To make energy:

• > dilates airways (branchioles)
  1. Increase blood glucose from converting glycogen to glucose
  2. Increases heart rate (for more blood pumping), breathing rate (more O2), cell metabolism (to burn glucose
  3. Change in blood flow patterns (to skeletal muscles -> arms, legs, hips)
• use O2 to make energy *

Question 3

What happens during long-term stress response? Explain how

Answer 3

1. Hypothalamus releases releasing hormone to anterior lobe of pituitary
2. Anterior lobe of pituitary secretes ACTH
3. ACTH targets cells in adrenal cortex via blood
4. Adrenal cortex told to secrete mineralcorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones

Question 4

Explain mineralcorticoids long-term stress response

Answer 4

It is also known as Aldosterone:

• Increase Na+ ions and water absorbed by kidneys
• Increase blood volume and blood pressure (not good)

Question 5

Explain glucocorticoids long-term stress response

Answer 5

Also known as Cortisol:

• Increase blood glucose due to breakdown of proteins and fats to convert into glucose (bad to break down proteins)
• suppression of immune system -> may get sick