How does the body respond to stress

Question 1

somatotrophs (endocrine cells in pituitary gland)

Answer 1

growth hormone = 50%

Question 2

cortrotrophs (endocrine cells in the pituitary gland)

Answer 2

adrenocorticotrophic hormone = 20%

Question 3

thyrotrophs (endocrine cells in the pituitary gland)

Answer 3

thyroid stimulating hormone = 5%

Question 4

adrenal gland location

Answer 4

superior to each kidney made up of 2 seperate glands

Question 5

adrenal cortex

Answer 5

outer layer

made of 3 layers and secretes steroid hormones

Question 6

outer later of the adrenal cortex

Answer 6

secretes aldosterone

Question 7

middle layer of the adrenal cortex

Answer 7

secretes cortisol

Question 8

inner layer on the adrenal cortex

Answer 8

secretes androgens

Question 9

adrenal medulla

Answer 9

central region, part of the sympathetic nervous system - secretes adrenaline

Question 10

Cortisol

Answer 10

steroid hormone that is produced as required
travels to target and passes through the membrane as it is lipid soluble
bound to a carrier protein
binds to specific receptor in the cytoplasm
translocates (moves) into the nucleus
activates specific genes
mRNA makes proteins and it is the protein that has the effect.
this is a very slow process

Question 11

Cortisol secretion

Answer 11

daily pattern
pulses during the day in response to specific conditions in the body
the highest peak upon waking
any disturbance of normal sleep patterns (eg jet-lag changing work shifts ) will effect this pathway.

Question 12

sequence of events that leads to cortisol secretion and response of the target cells

Answer 12

stimulus- stress, non-stress neural inputs, daily rhythm or low blood glucose
hypothalamus secretes corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
The anterior pituitary secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
The adrenal cortex (middle layer) secretes cortisol (steroid hormone)
this leads to metabolic effects
the secretion of cortisol is mainly controlled be negative feedback (except for during a stress response)

Question 13

Metabolic effects of cortisol

Answer 13

the muscle increases protein breakdown and decreases glucose uptake
fat has an increase in breakdown and a decrease in glucose uptake
the liver has an increase in glucose synthesis

Question 14

other effects of cortisol

Answer 14

helps to cope with stress
long-term- suppresses immune system
essential for maintaining normal blood pressure

Question 15

Cortisol functions

Answer 15

cortisol influences changes that occur in the body in response to stress including

• increasing blood glucose levels
• fats, proteins and carbohydrates metabolism to maintain blood glucose
• immune response
• anti-inflammatory actions
• blood pressure
• heart and blood vessels tone and contraction
• CNS activation

Question 16

low Cortisol

Answer 16

brain foggy, headaches and mild depression 
low thyroid function 
blood sugar imbalances (hypoglycaemia) 
fatigue (morning and afternoon) - lethargic 
sleep disruption 
low blood pressure 
lowered immune function 
inflammation

Question 17

Addison’s disease

Answer 17

lowered secretion of both cortisol and aldosterone
low cortisol concentration leads to increase in ACTH secretion
excess ACTH stimulates melanin synthesis

Question 18

symptoms of Addison’s disease

Answer 18

low blood glucose and pressure 
unexplained weight loss 
fatigue 
weakness 
low blood sodium 
high blood potassium

Question 19

Cushing’s syndrome symptoms

Answer 19

high blood pressure 
weakness 
edema 
muscle wasting 
loss of bone mass 
fat deposition in the face, neck and trunk (abdomen)

Question 20

Adrenaline

Answer 20

is secreted from the adrenal medulla
adrenaline is secreted as part of the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress
increase in adrenaline secretion supplements the actions of the sympathetic nervous system, particularly in times of stress
FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE
it is a peptide hormone, it is water based so is stored ready for release when the neural signal is received.
uses a second messenger system
fast

Question 21

sequence of events that leads to adrenaline secretion

Answer 21

stimulus = stress
hypothalamus
sympathetic nervous system = sympathetic preganglionic fibres
adrenal medulla releasing adrenaline
metabolic effects
- skeletal muscle and liver increase breakdown of glycogen to glucose
- fat increase breakdown of fat to fatty acids

Question 22

what is stress

Answer 22

dangerous situations = environmental or physiological situations
now accepted as an illness
in believed to contribute to other illnesses.

Question 23

stress response

Answer 23

stress stimulus
- activates the hypothalamus
-hypothalamus organises a response and activates the adrenal glands, sympathetic nervous system and the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
the body responds