Download Stress - Social Sciences @ Groby


Outline the bodily response to acute
stress. (6 marks)
› Autonomic nervous system is activated
› Sympathetic branch prepares for fight or
flight; heart rate increases (as well as pupil
dilation, increased blood pressure and
metabolic changes)
› Noradrenaline is released by the SNS
› Neurons of the SNS activate the adrenal
medulla to release adrenaline, preparing for
fight or flight; suppression of digestion occurs.
Learning Objectives
 To understand the body’s response to
chronic stress (Pituitary-Adrenal System).
Success Criteria
 Draw a flowchart showing the pituitaryadrenal system
 Read through page 7 of your booklet.
 Challenge Criteria Create a 50 word
summary of each stress response.
This is also known as the body’s ‘stress
system’
 It controls cortisol levels and other stress
hormones
 Activation of the pituitary-adrenal system
is less easy to achieve

› Sketch a copy of the system using page 135
of the textbook.
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The hypothalamus is passed messages
when stressors are received by the brain.
 A region of the hypothalamus is
activated (paraventricular nucleus –
PVN), and chemical messengers are
produced (CRF).
 These are released into the bloodstream
in response to the stressor.



When CRF reaches the
pituitary gland, ACTH (a
hormone) is produced
and released.
ACTH is transported in
the bloodstream to the
adrenal glands, on top
of the kidneys.

Cortisol, released by the
adrenal cortex, has positive
and negative effects on the
body.
 Positive = burst of energy and
lower sensitivity to pain
 Negative = impaired cognitive
performance, higher blood
pressure, and lowered immune system
Prolonged release of ACTH causes the
adrenal cortex to increase in size to cope
with cortisol production.
 Long-term ACTH deficiency causes the
adrenal cortex to shrink.

After 20 minutes of the perception of an
acute stressor, cortisol levels have risen
sharply.
 The hypothalamus and pituitary gland
have special receptors to monitor
cortisol levels; if cortisol gets too high,
CRF and ACTH are reduced to bring
cortisol levels back to normal.

Create a 50 word
summary of each
stress response on
your card
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The stressor activates the Pituitary-Adrenal
System (AKA: Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis)
The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary
gland
The pituitary gland secretes ACTH
ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to
produce the hormone cortisol
Cortisol enables the body to maintain steady
supplies of blood sugar
Adequate and steady blood sugar levels
help person to cope with prolonged stressor,
and helps the body to return to normal

Lets review the stress
diaries from last week:
› What were the most common stressors?
› What were the most common uplifts?
› Which days did you feel most stressed?
 Why?
› What were the most common symptoms of
stress?
Learning Objectives
 To understand the body’s response to
chronic stress (Pituitary-Adrenal System).
Success Criteria
 Draw a flowchart showing the pituitaryadrenal system
 Read through page 7 of your booklet.
 Challenge Criteria Create a 50 word
summary of each stress response.