Lecture 35: Stress Flashcards
What does SS stand for?
Somatostatin neurons.
Where are the adrenal gland located?
Above each kidney.
What does the adrenal cortex secrete?
Steroid hormones.
What do the 3 layers of the adrenal cortex secrete?
Outer Layer: Aldosterone
Middle Layer: cortisol
Inner Layer: androgens
What does the adrenal medulla secrete?
Adrenaline
Describe how cortisol works.
Produced as required, travels to target and passes through membrane. Binds to specific receptor, moves into nucleus. Activates specific genes, mRNA -> protein. Protein has effect.
What are the effects of cortisol?
Maintains BP, decreases BGL, increases fat & protein breakdown, synthesis of glucose. Immune responses, CNS activation….. STRESS COPING.
When is cortisol secretion at its peak?
Upon waking, or stress.
What are symptoms of low cortisol levels?
Brain fog, low thyroid function, hypoglycaemia, fatigue, sleep loss, low BP, low immune function.
What is Addison’s disease?
Lowered secretion of cortisol and aldosterone -> increased ACTH secretion. This results in extra melanin synthesis.
What are symptoms of Addison’s disease?
Dark skin pigment, low BGL, low BP, weight loss, fatigue, low BNa+, high BK+
What is Cushing Syndrome?
Too much cortisol.
What are symptoms of Cushing Syndrome?
High BP, loss of bone mass, fat in neck, weakness, muscle waste, edema.
Explain what happens when the body is under stress.
The hypothalamus is activated, which organises a response and then activates the adrenal glands, sympathetic nervous system and posterior lobe of the pituitary gland -> RESPONSE.
