Stress Response

Question 1

Define Stressor

Answer 1

A condition which challenges the homeostatic state of an individual.

Question 2

Define Stress

Answer 2

The physiological or psychological response of an individual to a stressor.

Question 3

Define Hardiness

Answer 3

The ability to successfully cope with stress and remain healthy.

Question 4

Define Resilience

Answer 4

The ability to bounce back from initial negative effects of stressors.

Question 5

What is Eustress?

Answer 5

Stress which results in enhanced function.

Question 6

What is Distress?

Answer 6

Persistent stress not resolved by coping or adaptation.

Question 7

What is the “General Alarm Reaction” triad?

Answer 7

1. Enlarged adrenal cortex
2. Involution (shrinkage) of lymphatic structures
3. Deep bleeding stomach/duodenum ulcers .

Question 8

What are the 3 stages of General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 8

1. Alarm
2. Resistance (adaptation)
3. Exhaustion.

Question 9

What are Physical Stressors?

Answer 9

Stimuli producing actual physiological disturbance (e.g., hemorrhage, infection).

Question 10

What are Psychological Stressors?

Answer 10

Stimuli threatening the current state in an anticipatory condition (e.g., fear, social evaluation).

Question 11

Which brain regions mainly process Physical Stressors?

Answer 11

Brainstem and Hypothalamic regions.

Question 12

Which brain regions process Psychological Stressors?

Answer 12

Limbic circuits (PFC, Amygdala, Hippocampus) + HPA & ANS.

Question 13

What constitutes the 1st Phase of stress response?

Answer 13

Activation of Autonomic Nervous System (SN and SAM).

Question 14

What are the symptoms of the 1st Phase of stress response?

Answer 14

Rapid physiological adaptation (alertness, appraisal, decision making).

Question 15

What constitutes the 2nd Phase of stress response?

Answer 15

Hormonal mechanism (HPA axis).

Question 16

What symptoms are seen in the 2nd Phase of stress response?

Answer 16

Sluggish, amplified, and protracted secretory response.

Question 17

What is the duration of Acute Stress stressors?

Answer 17

Short (Seconds to 4 weeks).

Question 18

Which systems are activated in Acute Stress?

Answer 18

SN, SAM, and HPA systems.

Question 19

Which system is diminished in Acute Stress?

Answer 19

Parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 20

What does SAM Axis stand for?

Answer 20

Sympathetic-Adrenomedullary Axis.

Question 21

What is the cardiac effect of the “Fight-or-Flight” response?

Answer 21

Increased heart rate, contraction strength, and cardiac output.

Question 22

What triggers the release of Epinephrine?

Answer 22

The SAM system (Sympathetic-Adrenomedullary).

Question 23

What is the vascular effect of the “Fight-or-Flight” response?

Answer 23

Constriction of arterioles (increased BP); Increased flow to muscles/heart; Decreased flow to GI/Kidneys .

Question 24

What is the metabolic effect of the “Fight-or-Flight” response?

Answer 24

Increased metabolic rate, blood glucose, and glycolysis .

Question 25

What is the hematologic effect of the "Fight-or-Flight" response?

Answer 25

Increased blood coagulation rate.

Question 26

What is secreted by the Adrenal Medulla?

Answer 26

Catecholamines (Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine).

Question 27

What is secreted by the Zona Glomerulosa?

Answer 27

Mineralocorticoids (e.g., Aldosterone).

Question 28

What is secreted by the Zona Fasciculata?

Answer 28

Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) and Androgens.

Question 29

What is secreted by the Zona Reticularis?

Answer 29

Androgens and Glucocorticoids.

Question 30

What is the hormone flow of the HPA Axis?

Answer 30

CRH (Hypothalamus) → ACTH (Pituitary) → Cortisol (Adrenal Cortex).

Question 31

Where is CRH produced?

Answer 31

Paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the Hypothalamus.

Question 32

Where is ACTH produced?

Answer 32

Anterior Pituitary.

Question 33

What is the major inhibitory factor for CRH and ACTH?

Answer 33

Circulating Cortisol (Negative Feedback).

Question 34

What is the metabolic effect of Cortisol?

Answer 34

Increases blood glucose; Increases fat mobilization; Degrades muscle protein.

Question 35

What is the vascular effect of Cortisol?

Answer 35

Permissive action for catecholamines (facilitates vasoconstriction).

Question 36

What is the immune effect of Cortisol?

Answer 36

Anti-inflammation; Decreases proinflammatory cytokines.

Question 37

What is the role of the Amygdala in stress?

Answer 37

Stimulates hypothalamus; activates "fight or flight".

Question 38

What is the role of the Hippocampus in stress?

Answer 38

Limits the stress response (inhibits hypothalamus).

Question 39

What is the role of the Locus Coeruleus?

Answer 39

Norepinephrine system; increases brain arousal.

Question 40

What is the role of the Raphe Nuclei?

Answer 40

Serotonin system; projects to other brain areas.

Question 41

How does the Hippocampus terminate stress?

Answer 41

Stimulated by cortisol → inhibits hypothalamus → turns off HPA axis.

Question 42

How does the PFC terminate stress?

Answer 42

Top-down emotional regulation and fear extinction (inhibits Amygdala/HPA).

Question 43

What happens if the Hippocampus-PVN circuit is damaged?

Answer 43

Overexpression of CRH; prolonged stress response.

Question 44

What defines the pathophysiology of Chronic Stress?

Answer 44

Breakdown of Negative Feedback (Hippocampal/PFC atrophy) + Persistent SNS activation .

Question 45

Effect of Chronic Stress on Hippocampus?

Answer 45

Atrophy, impaired memory.

Question 46

Effect of Chronic Stress on Amygdala?

Answer 46

Hyperactivity, anxiety.

Question 47

Effect of Chronic Stress on Immune System?

Answer 47

Dysfunction; Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (despite cortisol presence).

Question 48

Effect of Chronic Stress on GI System?

Answer 48

Hypersecretion of acid/pepsin (ulcers, GERD).

Question 49

What is the Brain-Gut-Microbiome (BGM) axis?

Answer 49

Bidirectional communication via neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, and ANS pathways.

Question 50

Where is 95% of bodily Serotonin produced?

Answer 50

Mucosal cells in the gut and Enteric Nervous System (ENS).