B1: Chronic Stress: the HPA system Flashcards
What does HPA system mean
Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal system
The HPA system deals with?
the bodies response to chronic stress
What is the order of the HPA system response to chronic stress
Hypothalamus → CRF → Pituitary gland → ACTH → Adrenal cortex → Cortisol.
What does the hypothalamus do un the HPA system
Releases CRF into the blood stream to activate the system
What hormone is released by the piturity gland
ACTH hormone
What part of the adrenal gland is involved in the HPA system
The adrenal cortex
What does the adrenal cortex release
Cortisol
What does cortisol do?
Fuels the stress response and suppresses the immune system
How is the HPA system self regulated
By a negative feedback loop that lowers cortisol when levels are too high
What happens to the HPA system when the threat disappears
It stops
