Fight Or Flight Response Research Paper

Fight or flight response

The fight or flight response is a response to a stimulus that could threaten the survival of an organism.

During the fight or flight response the hypothalamus sends signals to the sympathetic nervous system. This causes the body to tense up and become more alert. The hypothalamus also releases CRF which activates the adrenal cortical system. The anterior pituitary gland begins the secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone directly into the bloodstream. When the ACTH reaches the adrenal cortex it stimulates the release of cortisol which increases the metabolism of proteins,fats and carbohrdrates. Cortisol also increases blood sugar levels through gluconeogenesis. (1)

Negative feedback

Negative feedback is a process
during the latter stage of pregnancy the amount of oxytocin receptors in the uterus is greatly increased. This increases the woman’s sensitivity to oxytocin. When labor begins the baby stimulates receptors which cause oxytocin to be released from the posterior pituitary gland this oxytocin causes more frequent and Powerful contractions which in turn caused more receptors to be stimulated and more oxytocin to be released.
Pituitary dwarfism
Pituitary dwarfism is caused by a lack of growth hormone which is also called somatropin. Somatropin stimulates cell reproduction and growth and is is classed as a polypeptide hormone.
Somatropin is produced in the pituitary glands and is responsible for growth in children and young adults. Somatropin is also responsible for regulating bone and muscle growth, body fluids and heart
The overall result of a lack of somatropin in children is halted or a decreased rate of growth, and puberty may take place several years later than non-affected individuals.
Adults may also acquire a somatropin deficiency as a result of brain trauma. This results in muscle fatigue, depression and inferior bone density. (1)
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is when the body temperature falls below 35 degrees centigrade in humans. At this reduced temperature molecules have reduced amounts of kinetic energy causing the rate of metabolic reactions in the body to reduce. For example the respiration rate is greatly lowered causing less heat to be generated.
Hypothermia occurs when the body cannot effectively regulate temperature. This can happen if the body is exposed to very cold temperatures.
In moderate hypothermia (which is classed as 30 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius) Blood vessels located on the body surface will contract, muscle co-ordiantion will decrease and strong levels of shivering will