B5 - the fight or flight response

Question 1

2 main systems involved in body’s response to stress

Answer 1

HPA axis

SAM pathway

Question 2

HPA axis

Answer 2

body’s response to chronic stressors

Question 3

SAM pathway

Answer 3

body’s response to acute stressors

Question 4

amygdala

Answer 4

associates sensory signals (e.g. what we see, hear or smell) with emotions (e.g. fear or anger)

Question 5

hypothalamus HPA

Answer 5

releases CRF

Question 6

pituitary gland HPA

Answer 6

releases ACTH

Question 7

adrenal cortex HPA

Answer 7

releases cortisol

Question 8

hypothalamus SAM

Answer 8

activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

Question 9

adrenal medulla SAM

Answer 9

releases adrenaline

Question 10

HPA axis path

Answer 10

amygdala > hypothalamus > pituitary gland > adrenal cortex

Question 11

SAM pathway path

Answer 11

amygdala > hypothalamus > adrenal medulla

Question 12

immediate effects of cortisol

Answer 12

increases blood clotting agents

Question 13

effects of cortisol in the long term

Answer 13

supresses immune system

Question 14

immediate effects of adrenaline

Answer 14

increases blood pressure

increases heart rate

increases breathing rate

increases supply of oxygen to muscles

triggers release of blood sugar and fats

limits non-emergency processes such as digestion

Question 15

effects of adrenaline in the long term

Answer 15

increased blood pressure and heart rate are likely to cause CHD

Question 16

role of parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 16

when stressful situation goes away

amygdala switches off the stress response

parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous sytem brings the body back to state of homeostasis (by slowing down heart rate and blood pressure).