1. Stress
Lesson 3

2. Starter 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.

3. Learning Objectives
To understand the body’s response to chronic stress (Pituitary-Adrenal System).
Success Criteria
Draw a flowchart showing the pituitary-adrenal system
Read through page 7 of your booklet.
 Challenge Criteria Create a 50 word summary of each stress response.

4. Chronic Stress Pituitary-Adrenal System (also known as hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA)
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.

5. Pituitary-Adrenal System
Chronic Stress

6. The hypothalamus
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.

7. The pituitary gland
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.

8. The adrenal cortex
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.

9. Feedback
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.

10. Let’s make it simple again!
The Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Activates
Causes the release of…
Adrenal Cortex
ACTH
Which acts on…
To release…
Cortisol
(cortisol causes stress effects on the body)

11. Create a 50 word summary of each stress response on your card
Flash Summary
Create a 50 word summary of each stress response on your card

14. Chronic Stress
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

15. Stress Diary 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?

16. Learning Objectives
To understand the body’s response to chronic stress (Pituitary-Adrenal System).
Success Criteria
Draw a flowchart showing the pituitary-adrenal system
Read through page 7 of your booklet.
 Challenge Criteria Create a 50 word summary of each stress response.