STRESS, FEAR, AND THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE

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STRESS, FEAR, AND THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE
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FIGHT OR FLIGHT OVERVIEW
AMYGDALA
HYPOTHALAMUS
PITUITARY GLAND
ADRENAL GLAND
THROUGHOUT BODY
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THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND THE PITUITARY GLAND
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INSIDE THE PITUITARY GLAND
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THE BRAIN

• Incoming info into Thalamus
• Signal sent to Amygdila
• (decodes emotions)
• Transmitted to Hypothalamus
• (Responds by initiation F or F)
• Hypo. sends nerve impulse down spine
• Hypo. activates Pituitary gland
• (Releases Hormone ACTH)

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THE ADRENAL GLAND AND INSIDE
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EPINEPHRINE SPREADS THROUGH THE BODY
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THE BODY

• Nerve impulse from Hypo./ ACTH both reach Adrenal
• Nerve impulse signals chromofin cells
  Epinephrine
• ACTH signals cells to produce Cortisol
• Both chemicals released from Adrenal gland
• Cortisol raises blood sugar (Frees fatty acids)
• Epinephrine reaches liver (Increases glucose
  production more potential energy ATP)
• Reaches lungs (relaxes muscles/increases
  respiration (more O2 for muscles)
• Reaches Heart (Beats faster circulates energy
  faster)

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FIGHT OR FLIGHT OVERVIEW
Brain receives/sends signals to pituitary
Pituitary releases messengers to Adrenal
Adrenal produces Epinephrine and Cortisol
Cortisol frees fatty acids/raises sugar
Adrenaline increases resp. allows more o2/energy
(ATP)
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WHAT IS FEAR?
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PATHS OF FEAR
Thalamus - decides where to send incoming sensory
data (from eyes, ears, mouth, skin) Sensory
cortex - interprets sensory data Hippocampus -
stores and retrieves conscious memories
processes sets of stimuli to establish context
Amygdala - decodes emotions determines
possible threat stores fear memories
Hypothalamus - activates "fight or flight"
response
TEXT FROM http//health.howstuffworks.com/mental-h
ealth/human-nature/other-emotions/fear.htm
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SO WHAT DOES THIS RESPONSE LOOK LIKE?

• Increase Heart rate
• Pupils dilate (take in light)
• Veins in skin tighten allow flow
• to major muscles (chills less blood in skin)
• Muscles tense (goose bumps)
• Focus on immediate

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ACTIVITY Play the fight or flight
game http//cmhc.utexas.edu/stressrecess/Level_On
e/fof.html