Unit 1 - Hormonal Regulation of the Stress Response

Question 1

Adrenal Gland

Answer 1

Sits on top of kidneys (left and right).
–> Divided into adrenal cortex (outer layer) and adrenal medulla (inner layer).

Question 2

Adrenal Medulla (Short-Term Stress)

Answer 2

Produces epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Question 3

Epi & Nonepi Levels

Answer 3

Hyper: High blood pressure, high blood glucose.
Hypo: Low blood pressure, low blood sugar, fatigue.

Question 4

Adrenal Cortex (Long-Term Stress)

Answer 4

1) Glucocorticoids: control blood sugar (ex. Cortisol).
2) Mineralocorticoids: regulate blood pressure via solute concentration (ex. Aldosterone)
3) Gonadocorticoids (Sex Hormones): not involved in stress response.

Question 5

Cortisol Release

Answer 5

Hypothalamus releases CRH which goes to the Pituitary Gland.
–> Pituitary gland releases ACTH (ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE) which goes to the Adrenal Cortex.
–> Adrenal Cortex releases CORTISOL.

Question 6

Cortisol

Answer 6

Causes breakdown of protein into amino acids into glucose by liver.
–> It also breaks down fat into glucose by fat cells.
–> High levels of cortisol negatively feeds back into hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

Question 7

Aldosterone

Answer 7

Increases blood pressure by controlling Na+ concentration.
–> Released from Adrenal Cortex which travels down the kidneys.
–> Na+ reabsorption, water follows by osmosis.
–> High blood volume, High blood pressure.

Question 8

Adrenal Gland Dysfunction (Levels of Hormones Released)

Answer 8

Hyper: High cortisol, high aldosterone.
–>Hypertension (excess aldosterone)
–>Obesity, diabetes mellitus (cortisol)

Hypo: Low cortisol, low aldosterone
–>Low blood pressure, dehydration, salt cravings (lack of aldosterone)
–>Fatigue (lack of cortisol)

Question 9

Epi and Nonepi

Answer 9

Overall similar effects to sympathetic Nervous System but also influences blood glucose
–>Travel to liver to increase conversion of glycogen into glucose (temporarily increasing metabolism).
–>Release of epi and nonepi are controlled by nerve impulse from hypothalamus.