The Endocrine System

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

A system which focuses on the use of hormones to control vital functions in the body

Question 2

What are hormones?

Answer 2

A chemical messenger secreted into the bloodstream and effects any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone

Question 3

4 examples of glands

Answer 3

• Adrenal glands: responsible for metabolism and releases adrenaline
• Pituitary gland: master gland responsible for controlling the release of hormones for all the other endocrine glands
• Pancreas: controls blood sugar levels
• Thyroid gland: produces thyroxine which is essential for growth and brain development

Question 4

Relationship of the endocrine system to the Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 4

• When a stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branches of the ANS
• causes the change between the PsyNS and the SyNS

Question 5

What is the flight or fight response?

Answer 5

A person’s response to a threatening situation where:
- the heart beats faster
- breathing becomes rapid
- muscles tense

Question 6

What is the process of the fight or flight response?

Answer 6

• when facing a threat, the amygdala is mobilised
• the amygdala associates sensory signals with emotions associated with fight or fight
• the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus which communicates to the rest of the body using the SyNS

Question 7

Response to acute (sudden) stressors

Answer 7

• SyNS:
  —> adrenal medulla releases adrenaline into the bloodstream
  -> heart beats faster to push blood to vital organs and muscles
  -> adrenaline triggers the release of glucose which is used for energy
• PsyNS:
  -> Heart rate decreases
  -> blood pressure reduces
  -> digestion begins again

Question 8

Physical responses to fight or flight

Answer 8

• Heart: increased heart rate provides more blood to vital organs and muscles
• Liver stimulates glucose production which is used in respiration
• Eyes: pupils dilate to increase the visual field which can be taken in
• Lungs: bronchi dilate for greater oxygen absorption

Question 9

:( negative consequences of fight or flight

Answer 9

• Is not adaptive for modern life, we no longer have predators
• Can lead to physical damage to blood vessels

Question 10

:( Gender Bias: Taylor et al (2000)

Answer 10

Women’s behavioural response to stress and threats relate more to tend and befriend
- flight my put offspring at risk
- women have higher levels of oxytocin (love)

Question 11

:( Gender Bias: Lee and Harley (2012)

Answer 11

SRY gene exclusively on the make Y gene chromosome promotes aggression relating to fight or flight

Question 12

:( Gender Bias: Von Dalvan et al

Answer 12

Acute stress can lead to greater cooperative and friendly behaviour in both men and women.

Question 13

Fight, flight, or freeze!

Answer 13

Gray (1988): first phase to avoid confrontation is to freeze
- freezing focuses attention and all allows you to look for newer information