stress

Question 1

which neuroendocrine protection systems does stress activate?

Answer 1

sympatho-adrenergic system (SAS)

• short term stress response
• adrenal medulla releasing catecholaines (adrenaline and noradrenaline)

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)

• long term stress response
• adrenal cortex to release hormones

Question 2

what is stress?

Answer 2

a situation that upsets an animal’s homeostatic balance = stressor

Question 3

what is predominantly used to regulate the stress response?

Answer 3

feedback loops

Question 4

what are the 3 stages of the stress response?

and who came up with it and name?

Answer 4

1. alarm reaction
2. resistance stage
3. recovery (when stressor dealt with)/ exhaustion stage (when stressor not dealt with)

Selye - general adaptation syndrome

Question 5

what happens during the alarm reaction in the stress response?

Answer 5

• stressor perceived by pituitary-adrenal system
• SAS system prepares body for action by activating coping mechanisms
  e. g increase in blood pressure, tachycardia (rapid HR) and tachypnoea (rapid breathing)
• HPA system releases energy stores

Question 6

what happens during the resistance stage in the stress response?

Answer 6

• body attemots to re-establish physiological balance (homeostasis)
• if stressor persists then stress hormones and arousal levels remain high (combat stress)

Question 7

what happens during the exhaustion stage in the stress response?

Answer 7

• when stress is not dealt with and continues for long enough
• depletes resources and exhausts body’s defenses
• stress-related illnesses develop

Question 8

what stimulates the alarm response?

Answer 8

sudden, unexpected appearance of stressor

non-specific immediate behavioural response - startled

Question 9

what does the SAS activate during the alarm reaction?

and what does one of the things release?

Answer 9

brainstem
vagal nerve

adrenal medulla

• releases noradrenaline
• releases adrenaline

Question 10

what is the effect of adrenaline in the alarm reaction?

Answer 10

• raises HR, increases blood flow to muscles and non-essential organs
• stimulates glycogenolysis (glycogen to glucose for energy)
• adipose tissue to release fat (break down tirglycerides)
• widens bronchioles

Question 11

what is the effect of noradrenalne in the alarm reaction?

Answer 11

• stimulates alpha receptors in muscle, contraction of receptors redirects blood to essential organs and increases blood pressure

Question 12

what does the HPA axis do in the alarm reaction?

Answer 12

ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol which leads to…

slower-acting passive coping mechanisms (fight or flight not been effective)

adaptive redirection of energy:

1. gluconeogenesis (creation of glucose)
2. lipolysis (breaking down of fat)
3. inhibits growth
4. oxygen and nutrients to brain

Question 13

what leads to chronic stress?

Answer 13

sustained activation of HPA axis due to severe long-lasting aversive events

Question 14

what are the depeltion of resources during the exhaustion stage?

Answer 14

sugars mobilised and energy not stored (muscle wasting)

hypertension (damage to blood vessels due to high BP)

digestion, growth and immunity suppressed

Question 15

give examples of systemic stressors?

and what are they?

Answer 15

visceral nociceptors (internal organs pain)

somatic nociceptors (skin and muscle pain)

inflammatory signals

stimulation of baroreceptors (pressure) or osmoreceptors (imbalance of water pressure)

• actual threats

Question 16

give examples of neurogenic stressors?

and what are they?

Answer 16

anticipation of predators
dangers associated with novel enviro

• anticipated threats

Question 17

what are the main stressors in some animals?

Answer 17

interactions with conspecifics

e.g dominance

Question 18

what do most naturally occuring stressors involve?

Answer 18

combination of both systemic (actual) and neurogenic stressors (anticipated)

Question 19

what is eustress?

as opposed to distress

Answer 19

perturbation can be dealt with effectively

stress response quickly terminated once homeostasis restored

Question 20

what is distress?

as opposed to eustress

Answer 20

chronic hypo/hyperactivation of HPA axis

may be harmful and lead to abnormal behaviour

Question 21

what decides between whether eustressor distress?

Answer 21

both quality and intensity of stressor

characteristics of individual challenged by stresso e.g genetics and history and emotional state

Question 22

what is Lazarus’s transactional theory regarding coping with stress?

Answer 22

dynamic relationship between:

1. enviro demands (stressor)
2. individual’s psychological resources for dealing (coping ability)

stress response occurs from perceived imbalance between these demands and resources

Question 23

what are the 2 forms of cognitive appraisal?

and what do they take into account?

Answer 23

1. primary
2. secondary

• take both personal and enviro factors into account

Question 24

what is primary appraisal?

Answer 24

significance of stressor in terms of goals and values

initial decision of whether threat perceived e.g is it irrelevant

Question 25

what is secondary appraisal?

Answer 25

ability to control situation and impotance for wellbeing

e.g negative stress perceived if see oneself as unable to cope with threat

Question 26

what are examples of problem-focused strategies for modifying situation causing stress response?

Answer 26

planing

delegating responsibilties

Question 27

what are examples of emotion-focused strategy to regulate emotional response to stress?

Answer 27

seeking social support

avoiding and distraction

Question 28

what can lead to greater stress resilience?

Answer 28

little bit of stress earlier in life

pups handled early in life (little bit of stress) licked more by mums and more resilient to stress as adults