6.2.2.1 Role of Adrenaline

• How does adrenaline function as a "supercharge" for the body?

  It prepares the body for action
• What is the location of the adrenal glands?

  On top of the kidneys
• What are the main functions of adrenaline during the fight or flight response?

  • Speeds up heart rate to pump more blood
  • Increases breathing rate for more oxygen
  • Improves alertness and physical performance
  • Prepares the body for action
• When are adrenaline glands activated?

  During a fight or flight situation
• What is the primary function of adrenaline?

  Prepares the body for fight or flight
• Which part of the brain initiates the fight-or-flight response?

  Hypothalamus
• What is the role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response?

  Prepares the body for fight or flight
• What is released by the hypothalamus to activate the adrenal-cortical system?

  CRF
• What is the sequence of activation for adrenaline during the fight or flight response?

  1. Hypothalamus detects a threat
  2. Activates sympathetic nervous system
  3. Triggers adrenal medulla to release epinephrine
• What hormone does the pituitary gland secrete during the fight-or-flight response?

  ACTH
• What does the release of adrenaline provide?

  Energy and alertness
• What two hormones are released by the adrenal medulla during the fight-or-flight response, and where are they released?

  • Norepinephrine and epinephrine
  • Released into the bloodstream
• What is the purpose of the physiological changes caused by adrenaline?

  To prepare the body for immediate action
• How does adrenaline affect breathing during the fight or flight response?

  It makes you breathe faster
• Approximately how many hormones are released by the adrenal cortex when stimulated by ACTH?

  30 hormones
• Where does ACTH travel to after being secreted by the pituitary gland?

  Adrenal cortex
• What is the effect of adrenaline on physical performance?

  It improves alertness and physical performance
• Where do hormones released by the adrenal cortex and medulla go?

  Bloodstream
• What is one function of adrenaline during the fight or flight response?

  It speeds up your heart rate
• What is the process of adrenaline release during a fight or flight response?

  • Brain senses danger
  • Adrenal glands release adrenaline
  • Adrenaline enters bloodstream
  • Body experiences increased energy and alertness
• How does adrenaline affect vision during the fight-or-flight response?

  Pupils dilate and vision sharpens
• What system does the hypothalamus activate directly during the fight-or-flight response?

  Sympathetic nervous system
• How does adrenaline release fit into the broader hormonal response?

  • Part of a hormonal cascade
  • Prepares the body for fight or flight
• What are the effects of adrenaline on the body during the fight or flight response?

  • Speeds up heart rate
  • Increases breathing rate
  • Provides more energy
• What does the sympathetic nervous system activate?

  Adrenal medulla
• What is released by the hypothalamus to activate the adrenal-cortical system?

  CRF
• What is released by the adrenal medulla?

  Norepinephrine and epinephrine
• What is released by the adrenal medulla?

  Norepinephrine and epinephrine
• What is the effect of impulses activating glands and smooth muscles?

  Triggers fight-or-flight
• What system does the hypothalamus activate in response to a threat?

  Sympathetic nervous system
• What system does the hypothalamus activate directly during the fight-or-flight response?

  Sympathetic nervous system
• What is the overall purpose of the fight-or-flight response?

  To prepare the body to either confront or escape a perceived threat by:

  • Activating the sympathetic nervous system
  • Releasing hormones into the bloodstream
• What is the sequence of the initial hormonal events in the fight-or-flight response?

  • Hypothalamus releases CRF
  • Pituitary gland secretes ACTH
  • ACTH arrives at adrenal cortex
  • Adrenal cortex releases approximately 30 hormones
• What happens to heart rate and blood pressure during the fight-or-flight response?

  They increase
• Where do hormones released by the adrenal cortex and medulla go?

  Bloodstream
• Approximately how many hormones are released by the adrenal cortex when stimulated by ACTH?

  30 hormones
• What is the effect of impulses activating glands and smooth muscles?

  Triggers fight-or-flight
• What two hormones are released by the adrenal medulla during the fight-or-flight response, and where are they released?

  • Norepinephrine and epinephrine
  • Released into the bloodstream
• What hormone does the pituitary gland secrete during the fight-or-flight response?

  ACTH
• What physiological changes does adrenaline cause during the fight-or-flight response?

  It causes several physiological changes