Endocrine System: Response to Stress
1. What two body systems work together to provide well-coordinated, generalized, nonspecific responses to
combat stress? NERVOUS SYSTEM and ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
2. In the nervous system’s response to stress, EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE exert many effects
on the body. Choose the correct response in the pairs listed.
↑ or ↓CO ↑ or ↓ sweating
↑ or ↓ ventilation ↑ or ↓ insulin
↑ or ↓ BP ↑ or ↓ blood flow to digestive system
↑ or ↓ plasma levels of glucose,
fatty acids, etc.
3. In response to stress, the hypothalamus increases the release of CRH, which increases ACTh from the
anterior pituitary and CORTISOL from the adrenal cortex. These hormones prolong the response to stress
provided by the nervous system.
4. Cortisol enhances VASOCONSTRICTION (in vessels) to help maintain blood pressure and also
(increases or inhibits) the inflammation and immune response.
5. Besides cortisol, the adrenal cortex releases ALDOSTERONE, which promotes salt and water retention,
which helps maintain blood volume and blood pressure.
6. VASOPRESSIN (a posterior pituitary hormone) also aids in the stress response by promoting water
retention and at high levels, it is also a potent VASOCONSTRICTOR. Both of these hormones help
maintain blood pressure.
7. _______________ is a condition in which there is hypersecretion of catecholamines by a tumor in the
adrenal medulla. Which of the following symptoms would be present in a patient with this condition?
sweating or cool dry skin
↓ BP or ↑ BP
↓ blood glucose or ↑ blood glucose
↑ HR or ↓ HR
↑ TPR or ↓ TPR
1. What two body systems work together to provide well-coordinated, generalized, nonspecific responses to
combat stress? NERVOUS SYSTEM and ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
2. In the nervous system’s response to stress, EPINEPHRINE and NOREPINEPHRINE exert many effects
on the body. Choose the correct response in the pairs listed.
↑ or ↓CO ↑ or ↓ sweating
↑ or ↓ ventilation ↑ or ↓ insulin
↑ or ↓ BP ↑ or ↓ blood flow to digestive system
↑ or ↓ plasma levels of glucose,
fatty acids, etc.
3. In response to stress, the hypothalamus increases the release of CRH, which increases ACTh from the
anterior pituitary and CORTISOL from the adrenal cortex. These hormones prolong the response to stress
provided by the nervous system.
4. Cortisol enhances VASOCONSTRICTION (in vessels) to help maintain blood pressure and also
(increases or inhibits) the inflammation and immune response.
5. Besides cortisol, the adrenal cortex releases ALDOSTERONE, which promotes salt and water retention,
which helps maintain blood volume and blood pressure.
6. VASOPRESSIN (a posterior pituitary hormone) also aids in the stress response by promoting water
retention and at high levels, it is also a potent VASOCONSTRICTOR. Both of these hormones help
maintain blood pressure.
7. _______________ is a condition in which there is hypersecretion of catecholamines by a tumor in the
adrenal medulla. Which of the following symptoms would be present in a patient with this condition?
sweating or cool dry skin
↓ BP or ↑ BP
↓ blood glucose or ↑ blood glucose
↑ HR or ↓ HR
↑ TPR or ↓ TPR
