Topic 3- Fight or Flight (Stress as bodily response)

Question 1

What is the most widely accepted view of stress and what 2 elements does it involve?

Answer 1

The most widely accepted view of stress now is the transactional
model. This comprises two elements, both underlining the central
point that the extent of an individual’s stress-related concerns is a feature of their perception of themselves and their world.

For the
transactional model the two elements in stress are:
1. Whatever we perceive as causing us stress is a stressor for us. If
we show a stress response to something, then it must be
causing us stress.

2. How well we think we can cope with the stressor. Do we feel confident or helpless?

Question 2

How does Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) see stress?

Answer 2

Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) saw stress as a
physiological response, i.e. features of the external environment
cause changes to occur in body chemistry and functioning.

Question 3

What does Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) call this bodily change ?

What does it do?

Answer 3

This
change has been termed the fight-or-flight response due to the
idea that it is gearing the body up for one of two actions. When we
are faced with a stressful situations we could either run away from
the stressor or face it and fight.

Question 4

Where does GAS originate from?

Answer 4

This notion originates from our
evolutionary past when as animals we had to physically overcome
threatening situations.

Question 5

What do we suffer from nowadays?

Answer 5

Nowadays this option is not often available
to us and so we suffer from an internal physiological response
which cannot be used for the intended purpose. This means we
suffer a protracted level of arousal which can be harmful.

Question 6

What 2 adrenal glands does this stress response involve and where are they?

Answer 6

They lie above
each kidney which secrete adrenaline and they are the Adrenal Cortex and the Adrenal Medulla:

Question 7

What is the Adrenal Cortex stimulated to produce and how is it involved with the pitituary gland and metabolism?

Answer 7

The adrenal cortex, which is stimulated to produce cortico
(referring to the adrenal cortex) steroids by the pituitary gland
and the hypothalamus.

The pituitary gland sends a hormone
called ACTH to trigger corticosteroid secretion by the adrenal
cortex. This involved in metabolism and its role here is to convert
stored carbohydrate to blood glucose so as to provide energy.

Question 8

What is the Adrenal Medulla controlled by, how is it stimulated by this, and why is it important?

Answer 8

It is controlled by the ANS. The
sympathetic function of the ANS stimulates the adrenal medulla to produce adrenaline and noradrenaline, ultimately to speed up
heart rate, blood circulation, etc., and provide for reserves of
energy to be used up by bodily activity.

Hypothalmus also activates this

Question 9

Why is the parasympathetic system important?

Answer 9

The parasympathetic
system triggers the adrenal medulla to reduce production of
these hormones, so slowing the body’s functioning down to a
normal state.

Question 10

What happens at the same time as the adrenaline is being released?

Answer 10

At the same time the
blood sugar levels are rising due to the action of ACTH.

Question 11

What does this prove

Answer 11

So higher brain centres are involved in the recognition of important
features of existence.

Question 12

What did Selye propose?

Answer 12

Selye proposed that any physical or psychological change could
trigger the higher brain centres (which recognised and interpreted
it as a stressor) to energise the hypothalamus into action, with
consequential effects on the adrenal glands. Selye proposed his
General Adaptation Syndrome to explain how the body deals with
these stressors.

Question 13

What are the 2 pathways the hypothalamus activates?

Answer 13

The and tTHe Sympathomedullary Pathway (SAM)

Question 14

What are the 4 steps in The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) System

Answer 14

1. The stressor activates the Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis
2. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland
3. The pituitary gland secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
4. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce the hormone corticosteroid

The immune system is suppressed while this happens.

Question 15

Why is Cortisol important?

Answer 15

The adrenal cortex releases stress hormones called cortisol.

Cortisol enables the body to maintain steady supplies of blood sugar
Adequate and steady blood sugar levels help a person cope with a prolonged stressor and help the body to return to normal

This has a number of functions, including releasing stored glucose from the liver (for energy) and controlling swelling after an injury.

Question 16

What are the 6 steps in the Sympathomedullary Pathway (SAM)

Answer 16

1. The hypothalamus also activates the adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
2. The ANS is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body. These activities are generally performed without conscious control.
3. The adrenal medulla secretes the hormone adrenaline. This hormone gets the body ready for a fight or flight response. The physiological reaction includes an increased heart rate.
4. Adrenaline leads to the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and reduced activity in the parasympathetic nervous system.
5. Adrenaline creates changes in the body, such as decreases (indigestion) and increased sweating, increased pulse, and blood pressure.
6. Once the ‘threat’ is over, the parasympathetic branch takes control and brings the body back into a balanced state.