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  • Created by: Livvi
  • Created on: 02-06-11 20:05

The body's response to stress

Stress: when a person's perceived environmental, social and physical demands exceed their perceived ability to cope.

Acute stress: The Sympthomedullary Pathway: Immediate stressors arouse the Autonomic nervous system. The ANS governs itself meaning it works automatically. E.g. your heartbeat. The SNS is activated which prepares the body for flight or fight. Neurones from the SNS travel to every organ and gland. Responses include; increase in heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, pupil size and it produces glycogen in the bloodstream. The neurotransmitter released is Noradrenaline to activate the internal body organs. At the same time, the SAM system alerts the person through the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream where it's transported throughout the body. The SAM system is regulated by the SNS and the medulla. When the neurones travel to the medulla to activate it and it releases adrenaline. The adrenaline boosts the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles and suppresses other processes such as digestion.

Chronic stress:The HPA. The Hypothalamus- When stressors are perceived by the higher centres of the brain, a message is passed to the hypothalamus in the brain. It is the control system for the body's hormonal systems. Activation of a particular part of the hypothalamus leads to the production of CRF, which is released in the bloodstream. The pituitary gland-


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