Endocrine System And Fight Or Flight (Biopsychology)

Question 1

What is the endocrine system and how does it work? Refer to glands and hormones.

Answer 1

• This is a system of glands that work alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body.
• Glands are small organs in the body which release hormones.
• Hormones are then released into the blood stream to target specific organs and effect their function.
• They are slower to take effect when compared to the nervous
  system and the effects of these can linger in the body and last longer.

Question 2

What are the two key glands?

Answer 2

• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary gland

Question 3

What is the hypothalamus?

Answer 3

Hypothalamus:
- Connected to the pituitary gland.
- Responsible for stimulating or controlling the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
- Therefore, the hypothalamus is the control system which regulates
the endocrine system.

Question 4

What is the pituitary gland?

Answer 4

Pituitary gland:
- Sometimes known as the master gland.
- The hormones released by the pituitary gland control and stimulate the release of hormones from other glands in the endocrine system.
- 2 key hormones released by the pituitary gland are oxytocin (love
hormone) & ACTCH which stimulates the release of cortisol.

Question 5

What is the pineal gland responsible for?

Answer 5

• The pineal gland is responsible for biological rhythms

Question 6

What is the adrenal gland (medulla) responsible for?

Answer 6

• The adrenal gland (the medulla) is responsible for releasing
  adrenaline. –> The key hormone for fight or flight.

Question 7

What is the adrenal gland (cortex) responsible for?

Answer 7

• The adrenal gland (the cortex) is responsible for stimulating the release of glucose to provide energy.

Question 8

What are the ovaries/testes?

Answer 8

• The ovaries/testes are the sex hormones.

Question 9

What is the process of the hypothalamus?

Answer 9

• When there is a stressor in the environment a signal is sent to the
  hypothalamus.
• The hypothalamus then triggers a stress
  response.
  There are two stress responses:
  1.) The pituitary adrenal system (HPA) – deals with long term stress.
  2.) The sympathomedullary pathway (SAM) – deals with short term
  stress.

Question 10

What does our body do for short term stress?

Answer 10

• For short term stress, our body produces adrenaline, which happens very quickly and the effects are short term.

Question 11

What does our body do for chronic stress?

Answer 11

• For chronic stress, our body produces cortisol.

Question 12

What are the stages of fight or flight

Answer 12

Fight or flight:
1.) A stressor is perceived.
2.) The hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland.
3.) The pituitary gland releases hormones which signals to the adrenal gland to release adrenaline.
4.) Activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS is triggered.
5.) The body changes from it’s normal resting state to the aroused state.
6.) The body returns to the parasympathetic state, after the stressor is gone/removed.

Question 13

What happens when adrenaline is released from the body?

Answer 13

• When adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla, it triggers certain physiological changes in the body, which causes the necessary arousal for fight or flight.
• This happens instantly. It is a completely automatic response.