Biology of Stress

Question 1

What does stress lead to?

Answer 1

the activation of sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis

Question 2

What are the 5 main areas of the brain involved in the HPA axis

Answer 2

Amygdala
hypothalamus
pituitary gland
pre-frontal cortex
hippocampus

Question 3

What does the amygdala do?

Answer 3

Concerned with emotion and motivation
assess danger
releases CRF

Question 4

What does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 4

Control emotional reactions

triggers pituitary secretion (hypophysis)

Question 5

What does the hippocampus do?

Answer 5

Organising memory storage and retrieving memories

Question 6

What does the pre-frontal cortex do?

Answer 6

Planning and organising behaviour

Question 7

Which areas of the brain are linked to the adrenal glands?

Answer 7

Frontal cortex
amygdala
hippcampus
striatum
hypothalamus

Question 8

stages of the HPA axis?

Answer 8

1) amygdala releases CRF
2) Hypothalamus releases CRF and stimulates pituitary
3) Pituitary secretes ACTH into bloodstream
4) Adrenal cortex secretes cortisol
5) Stress leads to decline of hippocampal function as hippocampal neurogenesis and increase in death of hippocampal neurons occur
6) Glucocorticoids are made susceptible to damage and death if chronic

Question 9

What does acetylcholine do?

Answer 9

calm relaxed and safe
decreased heart rate
decreased blood pressure
increased gut motility

Question 10

What does noradrenaline do?

Answer 10

fight or flight
increased heart rate
increased blood pressure
decreased gut motility
release CRF, ACTH and cortisol