2.2 - Biopsycholgy (set B - endocrine System + Fight Of Flight)

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

A network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secrete chemical messengers known as hormones

Question 2

What are endocrine glands?

Answer 2

Glands which produce and secrete hormones (chemical substances that regulate the activity of cells or organs in the body)

• major glands include pituitary gland, adrenal gland and reproductive organs (testes and ovaries)

Question 3

Explain the role of hormones?

Answer 3

Chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream, they target and stimulate specific receptor sites, causing a physiological reaction in the target cell

• correct levels of hormone released is important for maintains normal functioning

Question 4

Explain the role of hormones?

Answer 4

Chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream, they target and stimulate specific receptor sites, causing a physiological reaction in the target cell

• correct levels of hormone released is important for maintaining normal functioning

Question 5

Outline the role of the pituitary gland?

Answer 5

Produces hormones which may job is to influence the release of hormones from other glands, regulating body functions

hypothalamus, located above the pituitary gland is responsible for controlling the pituitary gland - it does this my reducing information from sources about the basic functions of the body

Question 6

Outline the structure of the pituitary gland - how does this relate to its function?

Answer 6

• two main parts anterior and posterior (release different hormones)
• eg anterior pituitary releases ACTH as a response to stress - ACTH stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol

Question 7

Outline the role of the adrenal glands?

Answer 7

• adrenal glands sit on top of kidneys
• each adrenal gland is made up of 2 parts - outer part is called adrenal cortex and inner region is adrenal medulla (have different functions)

hormones released by adrenal cortex necessary for life, where as those of the medulla are not

Question 8

Explain an important hormone released by the adrenal medulla?

Answer 8

Releases adrenaline and noradrenaline - hormones which prepare the body for fight or flight

• adrenaline causes increased heart rate and blood flow to muscles and the brain
• noradrenaline constricts the blood vessels causing blood pressure to increase

Question 9

Explain an important hormone released by the adrenal cortex?

Answer 9

Produces cortisol, which regulates and supports cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory functions

Question 10

Outline the role of the ovaries in the endocrine system?

Answer 10

• 2 ovaries responsible for production of eggs
• produce hormone oestrogen and progesterone

progesterone has been associated with heightened sensitivity to social cues that indicate presence of social opportunity (allies or threats) that would be significant in the case of pregnancy

Question 11

Outline the role of the testes in the endocrine system?

Answer 11

• produce hormone testosterone - production controlled by hypothalamus and pituitary gland

** testosterone associated with overall health of man - plays role in many factors like growth and sex drive**

Question 12

Outline the overall bodily process for the fight or flight response?

Answer 12

When presented with threat, amygdala (area of brain) is mobilised - it associates sensory signals with emotions associated with fight or flight (fear and anger)

• amygdala sends signal to hypothalamus which communicates with rest of the body through sympathetic nervous system

body’s response involves 2 major systems one for acute stressors and second for chronic stressors

Question 13

What are the bodies 2 major responses to stressors?

Answer 13

• acute stressors (sudden stress, eg personal attack)
• chronic stressors (ongoing stress, eg stressful job)

Question 14

Outline completely the bodies response to acute stressors?

Answer 14

• sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is triggered - sends signals to adrenal medulla (releases hormone adrenaline)
• adrenaline causes heart rate to increase - increasing blood flow to vital organs, breathing becomes more rapid to take in more oxygen and glucose is released into bloodstream to provide energy
• when threat has passed parasympathetic, reverses the response by decreasing heart rate and blood pressure and stopping the inhibition of digestion

Question 15

Outline completely the bodies response to chronic stressors - focus on HPA axis?

Answer 15

• as adrenaline subsides (threat is still perceived) hypothalamus activates HPA axis
• hypothalamus relies on hormonal signals to keep SNS working by releasing hormone CRH
• CRH causes pituitary gland to produce and release hormone ACTH - travels to target site (adrenal glands)
• ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release stress related hormones, including cortisol - which has effects like quick bursts of energy and lower sensitivity to pain

System is efficient as it regulates itself

Question 16

Give the 3 main hormones involved in the bodies response to chronic stressors - explain briefly their function/site of production?

Answer 16

• CRH - released by hypothalamus and stimulates pituitary gland
• ACTH - produced and released by pituitary due to stimulation from CRH
• cortisol - released by adrenal cortex after stimulation from ACTH

Question 17

Explain how the bodies response to chronic stressors is self regulating?

Answer 17

Hypothalamus and pituitary gland have specific receptors that monitor circulating cortisol levels - if they rise above normal than they innate reduction in CRH and ACTH levels - which brings cortisol levels down

• seen as a feedback cycle

Question 18

Outline research to suggest our reaction is not limited to fight or flight - reference the idea of a ‘freeze’ response?

Answer 18

Some psychologists suggest that humans engage in an initial ‘freeze’ response (Gray)

• first response to danger is to avoid confrontation altogether - during the freeze response, vigilance is increased dramatically allowing the best course of action to that particular threat to be devised

Question 19

Explain how the fight or flight response may vary between males and females?

Answer 19

typically a male response to danger - recent research suggests that females adopt a ‘tend and befriend’ response in stressful/dangerous situations. According to Taylor et al.

• women are more likely to protect their offspring (tend) and form alliances with other women (befriend), rather than fight an adversary or flee, which could imply weakness

tend and befriend

Question 20

Explain what the fight or flight response is?

Answer 20

Sequence of activity within the body that is triggered when the body prepares itself for defending or attacking or running

• activity involves changes in the nervous system and the secretion of hormones