STRESS: Bio - Adrenaline A01 Flashcards
What does SAM Stand for?
Sympathetic Adrenaline Medulla / Sympathomedullary Pathway
SAM Pathway Process (4)
- Acute stress triggers the hypothalamus to produce a response
- Hypothalamus arouses the sympathetic nervous system branch
- Sympathetic branch sends signal to adrenal medulla (a part of the adrenal gland) to release hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline
- Hormones circulate the body; targeting key organs such as the muscles causing an increased heart rate and raised blood pressure
Fight / Flight Response
SAM is also known as the fight / flight response because the changes adrenaline and noradrenaline causes in the body prepares it to fight either offensively (fight) or defensively (flight)
Fight / Flight’s link to evolution
Environment of evolutionary adaptiveness:
F/F is an adaptive strategy to deal with threats our distant ancestors may have faced; stressors which may have required an energetic response (e.g. fighting a lion)
Fight / Flight in modern day
Stressors do not typically require physical action (e.g. checking a low bank balance)
- F/F response is triggered despite no action taking place / Individual is in a permanent state of arousal (can cause problems such as cardiovascular disease)
Stress’ Effects on the Heart
High levels of adrenaline & noradrenaline have been linked to the heart & cardiovascular disorders (stroke / heart attack)
The release of adrenaline in response to stress may exacerbate heart problems
Arousal of the sympathetic nervous system causes:
- Heart to beat faster
- Blood pressure to rise
- Arteries to become blocked
- Dislodging of plaques on the walls of blood vessels
Heidt et al.
Link between stress & adrenaline and health problems in medical staff working in intensive care wards.
Individuals had:
- Increased white blood cell count
- Inflammation and lesions (white blood cells)
- Blood platelets and clotting proteins rush to these → increases the chance of a blood clot leading to heart attack
