Chapter 17-1

Question 1

What is the stress response:

Answer 1

Coordinated responses to an actual or potential aversive stimulus (physical, social, cognitive, immune) which typically includes alterations in neuroendocrine and autonomic functions with complex changes in behaviour

Question 2

How does stress differ between organisms?

Answer 2

Experience of stress is common to all organisms

Question 3

Stress responses can be influenced by:

Answer 3

One’s experience, genetics, behaviour

Question 4

Stress definition:

Answer 4

The response

Question 5

Stressor definition:

Answer 5

Stimuli that causes stress

Question 6

Chronic definition:

Answer 6

Constant, for a long time

Question 7

Acute definition:

Answer 7

Once

Question 8

Repeated (stress) definition:

Answer 8

Many times with stress-free gaps

Question 9

Who did early research on stress?

Answer 9

Hans Selye (1950s)

Question 10

Main focus of Hans Selye’s 1950’s stress research:

Answer 10

Glucocorticoids & the anterior pituitary-adrenal cortex system

Question 11

What is general adaptation syndrome as per Hans Selye?

Answer 11

Short-term adaptive functions to return body back to normal (homeostasis)

Question 12

Hans Selye’s main contribution to research:

Answer 12

Both physical and psychological stressors trigger the same stress response

Question 13

PVN of hypothalamus’ contribution to stress:

Answer 13

Corticotropin-releasing hormone

Question 14

Ant. Pit. contribution to stress:

Answer 14

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 14

Adrenal cortex contribution to stress:

Answer 14

Glucocorticoids

Question 14

Role of hypothalamus, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex on HPA axis:

Answer 14

Inhibitory

Question 15

Role of amygdala on HPA axis:

Answer 15

Excitatory

Question 16

How do glucocorticoids act to exhibit metabolic effects?

Answer 16

Act via glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors

Question 17

Metabolic effects of glucocorticoids:

Answer 17

• Enhanced expression of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis
• Mobilization of amino acids from extrahepatic tissues
• Inhibition of glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue (enhance blood glucose)
• Stimulation of fat breakdown in adipose tissue

Question 18

Stressor -> brain -> sympathetic nervous system -> _____ -> ____

Answer 18

Adrenal medulla, norepinephrine and epinephrine

Question 19

Stressor -> brain -> anterior pituitary -> ______ -> ______

Answer 19

Adrenal cortex, glucocorticoids

Question 20

Effects of perinatal and early life stress:

Answer 20

• Impaired stress response
• Higher anxiety/fear behavioural profile
• Higher depression

Question 21

Effects of rat pups being separated from their mother:

Answer 21

• Enhanced behavioural and hormonal stress response in adulthood

Question 22

Effect of rat pups being handled by researchers:

Answer 22

Reduced behavioural and hormonal stress response in adulthood

Question 23

Effect of fearful/poor mothers:

Answer 23

- Pups become fearful in adulthood - Daughters become poor mothers

Question 24

Epigenetic definition:

Answer 24

A change in phenotype that is heritable but does not involve DNA mutation

Question 25

An increase in glucocorticoid receptor expression leads to what in rat pups?

Answer 25

- Low corticosterone levels - Low anxiety - High licking or grooming

Question 26

A decrease in glucocorticoid receptor expression leads to what in rat pups?

Answer 26

- High corticosterone levels - High anxiety - Low licking or grooming

Question 27

What happens to Nr3c1 (gene for GR) following high maternal care?

Answer 27

- Enhances brain GRs - Enhanced glucocorticoids inhibitory feedback - Reduced pituitary-adrenal responses

Question 28

Chronic/repeated stress reduces/impairs ______ in respect to the hippocampus?

Answer 28

- Adult neurogenesis - Dendritic spines - Dendritic branching - Hippocampal-dependent learning & memory

Question 29

What gender is more susceptible to developmental stress?

Answer 29

Males more susceptible than females

Question 30

What gender has higher cortisol response during adulthood stress?

Answer 30

Females

Question 31

Testosterone _____ stress responses:

Answer 31

Reduces

Question 32

Estrogens ____ stress responses:

Answer 32

Potentiates

Question 33

Progesterones _____ stress responses:

Answer 33

Reduces