Stress (Chronic + Acute)

What is stress defined as in physiology?

A challenge to an organism that activates the autonomic nervous system or HPA axis

Stress can be classified as which of the following?

Both physiological and psychological

What best describes the generalized response to any stressor?

Energy stores are mobilized to make energy available for the stress response to necessary tissues, including muscles and the brain.

The stress response includes which two types of responses?

Specific and nonspecific generalized response

Which of the following is an effect of stress hormone secretion?

Increased blood pressure

Stress hormones cause mobilization of stored energy primarily to which tissues?

muscles

What is a short-term immune effect of stress hormones?

Transient enhancement of immunity

Stress hormones inhibit which long-term biological processes?

Growth and reproduction

What is the general function of aldosterone in chronic stress?

increases blood volume and blood pressure

What is released from the hypothalamus in response to angiotensin II during chronic stress regulation?

CRH

What hormone is released from the pituitary gland in this pathway?

ACTH

What is the target tissue of aldosterone?

DCT & collecting duct in the nephron of the kidney

What is the main outcome of aldosterone action on the kidney?

Increased salt reabsorption

What happens to water following increased salt reabsorption?

It is passively reabsorbed

What is the main general function of cortisol during chronic stress?

mobilization of glucose to support brain activity and the body in response to stress

What hormone is released from the hypothalamus in the cortisol (chronic stress) pathway?

CRH

What is released from the pituitary gland in the cortisol (HPA axis) pathway?

ACTH

What is the target cell/tissue of cortisol?

cells in your body that store glucose, the brain, the immune system

What is the overall outcome of cortisol release?

Controls blood glucose levels, regulates metabolism, supports memory recall, and reduces inflammation and assists with memory recall

What happens to blood glucose levels under cortisol action?

They are kept high enough to support brain activity

What is the effect of cortisol in large quantities on the immune system?

Depression of immune and inflammatory responses

What is the general function of epinephrine and norepinephrine?

initiate the fight or flight response

What is released from the hypothalamus in the acute stress (epinephrine/norepinephrine) pathway?

activating the sympathetic nervous system in the spinal cord

What is released from the pituitary gland in the acute stress response?

N/A

Which of the following is a target of acute stress hormones?

Heart, skeletal muscle, smooth muscle in blood vessels, and bronchioles

What is one effect of acute stress hormones on the heart?

Increase heart rate

What is one respiratory effect of epinephrine/norepinephrine?

Increased rate of breathing

What happens to blood vessels supplying the brain and muscles during acute stress?

Vasodilation (increases blood flow) to the brain and muscle