The Endocrine System and Fight/Flight Response

Question 1

Hormones

Answer 1

Chemicals that are produced by glands of endocrine system
Upon the brain’s signal - hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and travel to ‘target cells’. The hormone then exerts an influence on the target cell by stimulating receptors on the surface of / or inside the cell

Question 2

What are the regulatory functions of hormones?

Answer 2

Metabolism
Development
Tissue function
Sexual function
Reproduction
Sleep
Mood

Question 3

Where are glands found?

Answer 3

The endocrine system

Question 4

ACTH

Answer 4

Triggers the adrenal gland to release corticosteroids, resulting in a stress response.

Question 5

What do hormones do?

Answer 5

Provides a chemical system of communication through the blood stream which each type of hormone targeting specific organs and tissues

Question 6

What are three key glands in the endocrine system?

Answer 6

Pituitary gland
Adrenal gland
Thyroid gland

Question 7

Pituitary gland

Answer 7

Helps regulate the function and secretion of other glands in the endocrine system. The master gland
Releases prolactin (helps lactation)

Question 8

Adrenal gland

Answer 8

Secretes adrenaline and responds to the sympathetic division during fight or flight response

Question 9

Thyroid gland

Answer 9

Secretes thyroxine which regulates metabolism rate and growth

Question 10

Two divisions of the autonomic nervous system:

Answer 10

Sympathetic branch
Parasympathetic branch

Question 11

When we perceive a stressor

Answer 11

The brain activates the sympathomedullary pathway which causes physiological changes in the body ~ ‘fight or flight response’

Question 12

What occurs in the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 12

~ a stressor is perceived and a threat is assessed
~ the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system
~ sympathetic nerves transmit the signal from the CNS
~ the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream
~ adrenaline constricts blood vessels in the skin to divert blood to the muscles

Question 13

Where is adrenaline and noradrenaline released from?

Answer 13

The adrenal medulla

Question 14

What does adrenaline do in the sympathomedullary pathway?

Answer 14

Constricts blood vessels in the skin to direct blood to the muscles

Question 15

Does adrenaline increase or decrease heart rate? And why?

Answer 15

Increase
Speeds up the blood flow so muscles can get more energy

Question 16

Does adrenaline increase or decrease blood pressure? And why?

Answer 16

Increase
Speeds up blood flow around the body

Question 17

Does adrenaline increase or decrease lung function? And why?

Answer 17

Supplies more oxygen

Question 18

Does adrenaline increase or decrease blood glucose? And why?

Answer 18

Increase
For energy and respiration

Question 19

Does adrenaline increase or decrease pupil size? And why?

Answer 19

Increase
To let more light in in order to see clearer and more

Question 20

Does adrenaline increase or decrease blood flow to muscles? And why?

Answer 20

Increase
To increase mobility

Question 21

Does adrenaline increase or decrease salivation? And why?

Answer 21

Decrease
Because digestion is not prioritised during fight or flight

Question 22

Does adrenaline increase or decrease digestion? And why?

Answer 22

Decrease
Because blood is being directed to the muscles

Question 23

What is the parasympathetic response?

Answer 23

~ once the threat of a stressor is gone, the autonomic nervous system switches from the activation of the sympathetic branch to the parasympathetic branch
~ reduces release of adrenaline into bloodstream
~ calming effect on the body ~ “rest and digest response” ~ decrease in heart rate and return of digestive processes
- parasympathetic activation returns to the body as a balanced state ~ homeostasis

Question 24

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Answer 24

At the top of each kidney

Question 25

Adrenal cortex

Answer 25

Secretes cortisol

Question 26

Adrenal medulla

Answer 26

Secretes adrenaline

Question 27

Limitation of our understanding of the fight or flight response:

Answer 27

That the human behaviour is not limited to two responses during threatening situations

Question 28

What did Gray (1988) argue about the fight or flight response?

Answer 28

That the first response to danger is often to ‘freeze’

Question 29

What does the ‘freeze’ argument state?

Answer 29

That humans are hyper-vigilant and assess the situation carefully to decide on the best course of action

Question 30

How is the ‘fight or flight’ response too restrictive?

Answer 30

It cannot fully explain the range of cognitive and biological influences on behaviour And is therefore incomplete ~ reduces validity

Question 31

What is a strength of our understanding of the ‘fight or flight response’?

Answer 31

The supporting evidence uses scientific methodology by operationalising arousal through levels of hormones which is an objective measure free from researcher bias

Question 32

How is the research carried out in ‘fight or flight response’?

Answer 32

In controlled conditions that means the methods can be easily replicated. Researchers can therefore test the reliability of these findings ~ increasing validity of the research and therefore our understanding of this phenomenon