Endocrine system & fight or flight

Question 1

What is the autonomic nervous system further divided into?

Answer 1

• Sympathetic nervous system
• Parasympathetic nervous system

Question 2

What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 2

• prepares body for flight or fight by releasing adrenaline which changes body from resting state to state of physiologically arousal due to perceived threat

e.g. increased heart/ breathing rate, pupil dilation, decreased food digestion, decreased saliva production, increased muscle tension, increased sweat production

Question 3

What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 3

‘rest and digest response’
when threat has passed, PSNS calms the body from physiological aroused state to resting state > restores bodies normal functioning

Question 4

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Answer 4

• helps to regulate physiological processes, vital functions in the body
• Instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream to have an effect on an organ > widespread & powerful effects

Question 5

What is slower the endocrine system or nervous system?

Answer 5

endocrine

Question 6

What is the flight or flight response?

Answer 6

• A bodily reaction that occurs in response to stress or danger

Question 7

How is the endocrine system implicated in the flight or fight response?

Answer 7

Stress response
- body receives stressor
- Hypothalamus activates pituitary gland
- pituitary gland releases hormones that target other glands e.g. adrenaline released from adrenal medulla
- triggers activity in sympathetic branch > ANS changes from normal resting state to physiologically aroused state
- adrenaline triggers physiological changes e.g. effects =increased breathing rate, sweating etc

Question 8

What is the role of the adrenal glands?

Answer 8

adrenal medulla- release adrenaline
key hormone in F/F response

adrenal cortex - releases cortisol
stimulates release of glucose to provide body with energy

Question 9

What is the role of the pineal gland?

Answer 9

• Releases melatonin
• responsible for biological rhythms e.g. circadian ‘sleep-wake cycle’

Question 10

What is the role of the Hypothalamus?

Answer 10

• links the nervous system to endocrine system
• Through the pituitary gland the hypothalamus controls release of hormones in the endocrine system
• neurons in the hypothalamus send electrical signals to the ANS

Question 11

What is the role of the thyroid gland?

Answer 11

• releases thyroxine
• responsible for regulating metabolism
• affects cells in heart
• linked to growth rates

Question 12

What is the role of the pituitary gland?

Answer 12

• also known as ‘master gland’
• controls and stimulates hormone release from all other glands by realising ATCH

Question 13

What is the role of the ovaries?

Answer 13

• releases oestrogen
• controls regulation of female productive system e.g. menstrual cycle, pregnancy

Question 14

What is the role of the testes?

Answer 14

• releases testosterone
• responsible for development of male sex characteristics during puberty/ promotes muscle growth

Question 15

How does communication in the endocrine system occur?

Answer 15

• A stimulus causes the gland to release a hormone into the bloodstream
• The hormone travels around the bloodstream until they reach target cells
• They bind to receptors on the target cells
• Thus causes a response from target cells