Body's response to stress; The pathways
- Created by: alexandra
- Created on: 31-05-13 15:22
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- Body's Response To Stress
- What is stress?
- The response that occurs when we think we can't cope with pressures from our environment.
- The hypothalamus - the control system for most of the body's hormonal systems.
- The evaluation of whether something is a stressor, occurs in the cerebral cortex.
- When there's a stressor in the environment these higher areas of the brain send a signal to the hypothamulus which activates one of two pathways.
- The evaluation of whether something is a stressor, occurs in the cerebral cortex.
- The symphato-medullary pathway (SMP)
- Initial shock response -> hypo-thalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system - which is a branch of the peripheral nervous system.
- The sympathetic branch becomes more active when body is stressed and using energy.
- It stimulates the adrenal medulla within the adrenal glands, which releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream.
- BP and heart rate increase. Digestion stops. Pupils dilate. Breathing rate increases so more oxygen can be send to the muscles.
- This prepares the body for the 'fight or flight' system.
- The para-sympathetic nervous system
- Relaxes the body once the stressor has passed.
- Slows down the heart beat, Digestion begins again, reduces blood pressure etc.
- Known as the body's 'rest and digest' system.
- Slows down the heart beat, Digestion begins again, reduces blood pressure etc.
- It is a branch of the ANS (autonomic nervous system)
- Relaxes the body once the stressor has passed.
- The para-sympathetic nervous system
- This prepares the body for the 'fight or flight' system.
- BP and heart rate increase. Digestion stops. Pupils dilate. Breathing rate increases so more oxygen can be send to the muscles.
- It stimulates the adrenal medulla within the adrenal glands, which releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream.
- The sympathetic branch becomes more active when body is stressed and using energy.
- Deals with ACUTE STRESS. (Stress that is short-term). It is FAST acting and involves electrical activity.
- Initial shock response -> hypo-thalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system - which is a branch of the peripheral nervous system.
- The pituitary-adrenal system (also knows as the HPA - hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)
- Deals with CHRONIC STRESS. (Stress that is long term). It is a chemical based system. Not as fast as the SNP.
- Because the stress is long term, the sympatho-medullary pathway will start using all the body's resources so this second system produces a countershock response - supplies the body with more fuel.
- 1) The hypothalamus triggers the release of CRF (corticotropin-releasing factor)
- 2) CRF stimulates the anterior pituitary gland. And this releases a hormone called ACTH (adreno-corticotropin hormone)
- 3) ATCH stimulates the adrenal cortex.
- 4) The adrenal cortex release corti-costeroids which give us energy by converting fat and protein.
- This energy is needed to replace that used up by the body's initial reaction the the stress.
- 4) The adrenal cortex release corti-costeroids which give us energy by converting fat and protein.
- 3) ATCH stimulates the adrenal cortex.
- 2) CRF stimulates the anterior pituitary gland. And this releases a hormone called ACTH (adreno-corticotropin hormone)
- Deals with CHRONIC STRESS. (Stress that is long term). It is a chemical based system. Not as fast as the SNP.
- What is stress?
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