Stress Flashcards
Stress
is a demanding condition in the environment, and it is the individuals internal response to that stimuli
Stress response
- activation of the sympathetic nervous system
-increase heart rate, blood flow, and respiration rate
-activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal ( HPA) axis- a structure that helps the body cope with stress
TSR: Sensory system
-detects stressful stimuli in the environment
-sends information to the cortex and amygdala
TSR: cortex
-identify stimuli and access memories on the stimuli: that is a cat, last time I saw one, it tired to eat me
TSR: Amygdala
-matches stimuli to emotional valence: cat=fear
HPA axis
- the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland, which stimulates the adrenal gland to release epinephrine and norepinephrine, and cortisol
Stress and Health
increase of heart attacks
stress and immune system
- brief stress increases the activity in the immune system
The cells in the immune system
-kills infected and malignant cells
-protects the body against foreign substances, like Bateria and viruses
Two types of immune cells
- Leukocytes: white cells recognize invaders by the unique protein that every cell has on its surfaces and kills them
- Natural Killers: cells attack and destroy certain kinds of cancer cells and cells infected with virus
Chronic Stress
- it interferes with memory, eating, sexual desire, and performance
- depletes energy
-compromises the immune system
Stress and the immune system
- prolonged stress can lead to brain damage or long-term brain change, and it is caused by cortisol due to the receptor sensitivity
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
- increase output from the heart and liberate glucose from the muscle for energy
Cortisol
provides a sustained release for coping with prolonged stress
CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone
is released by PNV by the hypothalamus
