Understanding Stress and the Stress Response

These flashcards cover critical vocabulary related to stress, the physiological response to stress, and different types of stressors, helping to solidify understanding of the topics discussed in the lecture.

Stress

The body's psychological and physiological response to a perceived threat.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of equilibrium through continuous adjustment of physiological processes.

Allostasis

The process of achieving stability through change; involves short-term adaptations to stress.

Allostatic Load

The cumulative burden of chronic stress on the body, leading to health issues.

Acute Stress

Short-term stress that typically passes quickly.

Perceived Threat

A threat that may not be real but is perceived based on past experiences or context.

Fight or Flight Response

A physiological reaction to perceived danger, preparing the body to either confront or flee from the threat.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions during stress.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A division of the autonomic nervous system that triggers the body's fight or flight response.

Cortisol

A hormone released in response to stress, increasing blood glucose and lipid levels for energy.

Adrenaline

A hormone produced in response to stress that enhances the body's fight or flight response.

Noradrenaline

A hormone and neurotransmitter that increases blood pressure and heart rate during stress.

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH)

Hormone released by the hypothalamus in response to stress, stimulating the pituitary gland.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

Hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the adrenal cortex.

Hypothalamus

The brain region that regulates the release of hormones in response to stress.

Limbic System

The part of the brain involved in emotion and motivation that reacts under stress.

Thalamus

The brain structure that processes sensory information and plays a role in stress response.

Glucocorticoids

A class of steroid hormones, including cortisol, that are released in response to stress.

Endorphins

Hormones that help reduce pain perception and are released during stress.

Fight-or-Flight Hormones

Hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline that prepare the body for immediate action.

Physiological Stress Response

The body's various immediate and long-term responses to stressors.

Psychological Stressors

Mental stressors such as anxiety, anger, exams, and assessments.

Biological Stressors

Physical factors like infections, injuries, or interruptions in sleep patterns.

Chemical Stressors

Exposure to harmful chemicals like pesticides or heavy pollutants.

Social Stressors

Environmental factors such as peer pressure or relationship breakdowns.

Emotional Stressors

Stressors related to emotions like grief, divorce, or bullying.

Cumulative Effects of Stress

The combined impact of multiple stressors leading to increased allostatic load.

Behavioral Stress Responses

Individual actions taken in response to stress, such as eating, exercising, or substance use.