Stress Flashcards
Stress is defined as…
The physiological response to a physical, mental or emotional challenge, or perceived challenge, that activates the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis.
Stress response, over time, can become more ____ than the ____ itself.
Damaging; stressor
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis acts on ____ stressors
Acute
The HPA axis secretes ____ to back up the action of the ____ nervous system, the “first responder” to stressors.
Glucocorticoids; sympathetic
HPA Axis
Step 1: ____ ____ ____ (CRH) is released from ____ ____ (PVN) of the ____ into a private circulatory system linked to the ____ ____
- Corticotropin releasing hormone
- Paraventricular nucleus
- Pituitary gland
HPA Axis
Step 2: ____ binds to receptors in the ____ ____ which causes it to release ____ ____ ____ (ACTH) into the ____
- CRH
- Pituitary gland
- adrenocorticotropin releasing hormone
- blood
HPA Axis
Step 3: ____ binds to receptors on ____ ____ which causes them to release ____ into the ____
- ACTH
- Adrenal glands
- glucocorticoids
- blood
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are ____ ____ that binds to receptors ____ ____ the body and in the ____ to cause ____
Stress hormones; all over; brain; changes
(Cortisol: most well known)
HPA Axis
Step 4: ____ responds to ____ to reduce ____ if (2) are high (also called the ____ ____ ____ of the HPA Axis)
- Hypothalamus
- Glucocorticoids
- Negative feedback system
GCs can have an impact on ____, which implies its ability to have ____-____ effects on the functioning of ____ regions that regulate their release.
Memory; long-lasting; brain
Continual stress in monkeys can lead to ____ ____ of hippocampal area ____ and loss of neurons in areas ____-____
Decreased size; CA3; CA4-CA1
Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids results in…
The fetus having a reduced size of hippocampus and fewer neurons in it.
