1. The Stress Response & Blood Sugar Regulation
Miss Richardson
SBI4U

2. The Adrenal Glands
The body has two adrenal glands, located above the kidneys
Two-layered glands:
Adrenal medulla, inner layer
Adrenal cortex, outer layer

3. Adrenal Medulla Regulates short-term stress response
Hypothalamus activates sympathetic nervous system, stimulating adrenal gland
Adrenal gland secretes epinepherine and norepinepherine
Increased metabolism
Increased breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow, conversion of glycogen to glucose
Eyes dilate, blood flow to extremities decreases

4. Adrenal Cortex Regulates long-term stress response
Hormones: - glucocortitoids
- mineralcortitoids
- gonadocorticoids

5. Cortisol Most abundant glucocortitoid Steroid hormone
When the brain detects danger, hypothalamus stimulates secretion of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from pituitary gland
ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol
Raises blood sugar
ACTH production is suppressed in the negative feedback system and cortisol production ceases

6. Aldosterone Main mineralcortitoid Responsible for water-ion balance
Stimulates kidneys to increase sodium absorption
Increased concentration of solute increases water absorption in kidney
Blood pressure raises

7. The Pancreas
Islets of Langerhans are the endocrine cells throughout the pancrease
Beta cells: secrete insulin, decreasing blood sugar
Alpha cells: secrete glucagon, increasing blood sugar

8. Glucose Imbalance Diabetes mellitus
285 million people worldwide affected
Body doesn’t produce sufficient insulin
Increased glucose levels – hyperglycemia
Fatigue
Bad breath (ketone production due to fat/protein metabolism)
Thirst
High-glucose urine
Blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, gangrene
Type 1 – insulin dependent
Type 2 – adult-onset