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Managing Stress > The Physiology of Stress > Flashcards

The Physiology of Stress Flashcards

1
Q

Psychophysiology

A

A term to describe the body’s physiological reaction to perceived stressors, suggesting that the stress response is a mind-body phenomenon.

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2
Q

Central Nervous System (CNS)

A

Consists of the brain and spinal column, while the peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprises all neural pathways to the extremities

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3
Q

3 Levels of human brain

A
  1. The vegetative level, 2. The limbic system, 3. The neocortical level
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4
Q

The vegetative level

A

The lowest level of the brain consisting of both the reticular formation and the brain stem; thought to be the most primitive section of the brain

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5
Q

Reticular activating system (RAS)

A

The neural fibers that link the brain to the spinal column; functions as a communications link between the mind and the body

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6
Q

Brain stem

A

Consists of the pons, medulla oblongata, and mesencephalon, and is responsible for involuntary functions of the human body, such as heartbeat, respiration, and vasomotor activity; (automatic-pilot control center)

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7
Q

The Limbic System

A

The midlevel of the brain, including the thalamus, the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the pituitary gland, and is thought to be responsible for emotion processing; (emotional control center)

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8
Q

What 4 functions does the hypothalamus carry out in response to a threat?

A
  1. Activates the autonomic nervous system; 2. stimulates the secretion of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH); 3. Produces antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin; 4. stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine
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9
Q

The Neocortical Level

A

The highest and the most sophisticated level of the brain; where sensory information is processed as a threat or a nonthreat and where where cognition (thought processes) takes place (i.e. processes and decodes all stimuli)

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10
Q

What two networks comprise the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

A

The somatic network & the autonomic nervous system (ANS)

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11
Q

What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) or “automatic” nervous system?

A

2nd branch of the PNS; regulates the visceral activities and vital organs, including circulation, digestion, repression, and temperature regulation; can function without conscious thought or voluntary control

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12
Q

What are the two systems that comprise the ANS?

A

The sympathetic and the parasympathetic; maintain homeostasis and are activated by the hypothalamus

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13
Q

What is the sympathetic system?

A

The branch of the central nervous system that triggers the fight-or-flight response when some element of threat is present; causes physical AROUSAL (e.g. increased heart rate)

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14
Q

What is the parasympathetic system?

A

The branch of the central nervous system that specifically CALMS the body through the parasympathetic response; maintains homeostasis through the release of ACh

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15
Q

Epinephrine

A

A special neurochemical referred to as a catecholamine that is responsible fore immediate physical readiness for stress including increase heart rate and blood pressure; works in unison with norepinephrine

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16
Q

Norepinephrine

A

A special neurochemical referred to as a catecholamine that is responsible fore immediate physical readiness for stress including increase heart rate and blood pressure; works in unison with norepinephrine

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17
Q

What can cause brain shrinkage?

A

Repeated episodes of stress decrease memory by weakening hippocampal brain cells

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18
Q

Catabolic functioning

A

A metabolic process in which metabolites are broken down for energy in preparation for, or in the process of, exercise (fight or flight)

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19
Q

Immediate (effects of stress)

A

A neural response to cognitive processing in which epinephrine and norepinephrine are released, lasting only seconds

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20
Q

Anabolic functioning

A

A physiological process in which various body cells (e.g. muscle tissue) regenerate or grow

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21
Q

Acetylcholine

A

A chemical substance released by the parasympathetic nervous system to help the body return to homeostasis from the stress response

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22
Q

Serotonin

A

A neurotransmitter that is associated with mood. A decrease in serotonin levels is thought to be related to depression. Serotonin levels are affected by many factors including stress hormones and the foods you consume

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23
Q

Melatonin

A

A hormone secreted in the brain that is related to sleep, mood, and perhaps several other aspects of physiology and consciousness

24
Q

What is the endocrine system?

A

An organ system consisting of a series of glands located throughout the body that regulate metabolic functions requiring endurance rather than speed.

25
Q

What are the four components of endocrine system?

A

Glands, hormones, circulation, and target organs

26
Q

What are hormones?

A

Biochemical substances, or “chemical messengers”, released by the endocrine glands that are made up of protein compounds that are programmed to attach to specific cell receptor sites to alter (increase or decrease) cell metabolism

27
Q

How are hormones transported?

A

Through the bloodstream from the glands that produced them to the target organs they are called upon to influence

28
Q

Pituitary gland

A

An endocrine gland (“master gland”) located below the hypothalamus that, upon command from the hypothalamus, releases ACTH and then commands the adrenal glands to secrete their stress hormones

29
Q

Hypothalamus

A

Often called the “seat of the emotions,” the hypothalamus is involved with emotional processing. When a thought is perceived as a threat, the hypothalamus secretes a substance called corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) to the pituitary gland to activate the fight or flight response

30
Q

Adrenal gland

A

The endocrine glands that are located on top of each kidney that house and release several stress hormones including cortisol and the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine. The adrenal gland is known as “the stress gland.”

31
Q

What are the two distinct parts of the adrenal gland?

A

The adrenal cortex (outside) and the adrenal medulla (inside)

32
Q

What is the adrenal cortex?

A

The exterior of the adrenal gland that manufactures and releases hormones called corticosteroids.

33
Q

What are corticosteroids?

A

Stress hormones released by the adrenal cortex, such as cortisol and cortisone; two types: glucocorticoids & mineralocorticoids

34
Q

What are glucocorticoids?

A

A family of biochemical agents that includes cortisol and cortisone, produced and released from the adrenal gland; helps to generate glucose, through the degradation of proteins (amino acids) during a process called gluconeogenesis in the liver

35
Q

Cortisol

A

A stress hormone released by the adrenal glands that helps the body prepare for fight or flight by promoting the release of glucose and lipids in the blood for energy metabolism

36
Q

Mineralocorticoids

A

A class of hormones that maintain plasma volume and electrolyte balance, such as aldosterone

37
Q

Adrenal medulla

A

The portion of the adrenal gland responsible for secreting epinephrine and norepinephrine

38
Q

Intermediate stress effects

A

The hormonal response triggered by the neural aspects of the adrenal medulla that are released directly into the blood, lasting minutes to hours

39
Q

Prolonged effect of stress

A

Hormonal effects that may take days or perhaps more than a week to be fully realized from the initial stress response

40
Q

What are the three pathways (axes) of stress physiology?

A

Vasopressin axis, thyroxine axis, & ACTH axis

41
Q

What is the vasopressin axis?

A

A chain of physiological events stemming from the release of vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

42
Q

What is the thyroxine axis?

A

A chain of physiological events stemming from the release of thyroxine

43
Q

What is the ACTH axis?

A

A physiological pathway whereby a message is sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary, then on to the adrenal gland to release a flood of stress hormones for fight or flight

44
Q

What is the HPA axis?

A

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a term synonymous with the ACTH axis.

45
Q

What is the primary purpose of vasopressin?

A

To regulate fluid loss through the urinary tract, either by water reabsorption or decreased perspiration; also has a pronounced effect on blood pressure, regulating it by either increasing or decreasing blood volume

46
Q

Cerebration

A

A term used to describe the neurological excitability of the brain, associated with anxiety attacks and insomnia

47
Q

Allostatic load

A

A term coined by stress researcher Bruce McEwen to replace the expression “stressed out”; the damage to the body when the allostatic (stress) response functions improperly or for prolonged states, causing physical damage to the body

48
Q

What are the 3 systems directly involved in the stress response?

A

The nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system

49
Q

Explain the body’s “backup mechanisms”, which ensure survival.

A

These systems are classified as immediate, lasting seconds (sympathetic drive); intermediate, lasting minutes (adrenal medulla); and prolonged, lasting hours if not weeks (neuroendocrine pathways). Each system is involved in several metabolic pathways.

50
Q

What are some examples of good sleep hygiene?

A

Decreased caffeine consumption, consistent bedtimes, and a host of effective relaxation techniques that enhance sleep quality

51
Q

What role does the nervous system play in the stress response?

A

The nervous system communicates with the body in two ways - via chemicals called hormones and by electrical impulses that travel at a speed of 130 metres per second.

52
Q

What role does the endocrine system play in the stress response?

A

The endocrine response to stress involves increased CRH release from the hypothalamus and increased sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal medulla. CRH stimulates ACTH secretion from the anterior pituitary, which in turn stimulates cortisol from the adrenal medulla. Increased sympathetic stimulation of the adrenal medulla increases epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion.

Together epinephrine and cortisol increase blood glucose levels and the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue and the liver. Sympathetic innervation of the pancreas decreases insulin secretion. Consequently, most tissues do not readily take up and use glucose. Thus glucose is available primarily to the nervous system; and fatty acids are used by skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and other tissues.

Epinephrine and sympathetic stimulation also increase cardiac output, increase blood pressure, and act on the central nervous system to increase alertness and aggressiveness. Cortisol also decreases the initial inflammatory response.

53
Q

What role does the amygdala play in the stress response?

A

a key structure in the limbic system, this portion of the brains is responsible for the formation and consolidation of memories associate with events that provoked a strong emotional response (e.g. fear, anger); specific memories of past events can reprise the fight-or-flight response, merely by thinking about them.

54
Q

Explain the concept of neuroplasticity.

A

The brain can generate new connections to various brains cells, recruit various brain tissue for a host of functions, and generate new cell growth

55
Q

Describe which part of the brain is associated with multitasking.

A

Bradman’s area 10 is one of the last regions of the brain to mature and the first to decline, meaning people younger than 22 and older than 60 do not multitask well.

Managing Stress (4 decks)

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