The Body's Response to Stress

Question 1

How has stress been defined?

Answer 1

‘An imbalance or discrepancy between perceived demands and perceived coping resources.’

Question 2

What was Selye’s study?

Answer 2

He exposed rats to different stressors.

Question 3

What did Selye’s study show?

Answer 3

Whatever the stressor, the body’s response is always the same.

Question 4

‘When something stresses us we go into a ______ __ _____ response.’

Answer 4

fight or flight

Question 5

What is the fight or flight response?

Answer 5

When our body prepares to either stand and fight the stressor or run away from it.

Question 6

What are the two main systems that are involved in the stress response?

Answer 6

The Pituitary-adrenal System
and
The Sympathomedullary Pathway.

Question 7

Which part of the brain is responsible for starting both of the stress response systems?

Answer 7

The hypothalamus.

Question 8

Describe the pituitary-adrenal system.

Answer 8

• The HYPOTHALAMUS sends messages to the PITUITARY GLAND.
• The PITUITARY GLAND releases ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE (ACTH) into the bloodstream.
• ACTH travels to the adrenal glands, in particular the ADRENAL CORTEX.
• The ADRENAL CORTEX releases CORTICOSTEROIDS back into the blood stream.
• The CORTICOSTEROIDS help in this case by suppressing the IMMUNE and DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS to INCREASE ENERGY LEVELS.

Question 9

Describe the sympathomedullary pathway.

Answer 9

• The HYPOTHALAMUS sends messages to the AUTONOMOUS NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS), which controls unconscious bodily mechanisms.
• The SYMPATHETIC BRANCH of the ANS sends messages to the adrenal glands, in particular the ADRENAL MEDULLA.
• The ADRENAL MEDULLA releases ADRENALINE and NORADRENALINE into the bloodstream.
• These hormones INCREASE HEART RATE, BLOOD PRESSURE AND RESPIRATION, as well as DILATING THE PUPILS and causing VASOCONSTRICTION OF BLOOD VESSELS ready for the fight or flight response.