Stress

Question 1

What are three stages of stress/ general adaptation syndrome?

Answer 1

Alarm

Stressor triggers hypothalamus/sympathetic

Resistance/adaptation

Adrenal hormones activate fight/flight

Exhaustion stage

Occurs when stress is prolonged (stress disorders)

Question 2

During the alarm stage, what is released to stimulate SNS?

Where is it released?

Answer 2

adrenal cortex: Glucocorticoids (cortisol)

Adrenal medulla: Epinephrine/norepinephrine

Question 3

What are the types of psychological response to stress?

Answer 3

Anticipatory stress

Stress response in anticipation of stressor (abusive parent walks in room)

Reactive response

Changes with no physical changes (sweating during exam)

Question 4

What is allostasis?

Answer 4

Brain anticipates neuroendocrine/autonomic requirements for future events

Question 5

Stress responses are mediated by what?

Answer 5

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Question 6

What does the hypothalams release in response to stress:

What does pituitary release?

Answer 6

Hypothalamus: Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Pituitary: ACTH

Question 7

What does cortisol do?

Answer 7

Elevate blood glucose

Anti-inflammatory/ immunosuppressive agent

Question 8

What do catecholamines (epinephrine/nor) do?

Answer 8

Mimic sympathetic stimulation:

Increase inflammatory cytokine production