PSIO 305 EXAM 4 BAO 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
Stressor - ANS a physical (external), chemical (internal), or psychological (mental) factor
resulting in tension of the body or mind
goal of stress response - ANS maintain or re-gain homeostasis
4 normal stress responses of the body - ANS 1. sympathetic activation (within 2-3 seconds)
2. activation of adrenal medulla (20-30 seconds)
3. HPA axis activation (mins, hrs, or days)
4. cortisol neg feedback suppresses stress response (return to normal state after stress)
Stress response: Sympathetic activation - ANS - HR increase, vasoconstriction, sodium/water
retention lead to higher BP and better blood circulation
- Glycogenolysis, neoglucogenesis, lipolysis make nutrients more available
- Bronchial dilation results in more O2 intake
- Pupil dilation - more sensory info sent to brain
- Reduced digestion and bladder relaxation direct resources and attention to stressor
- Increased bloodflow to skeletal muscle - Sympathetic innervation of blood vessels of skeletal
muscle is cholinergic in animals and is mediated by E/beta2 receptors in both animals and
humans but to a lesser degree
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
, Stress response: Adrenal medulla activation - ANS - release Epinephrine, similar function as
Sympathetic activity
- sympathetic activity wanes quickly, E is more long lasting
Stress response: HPA axis - ANS - Glucocorticoids : breaking down proteins, fatty acids, and
glycogen; gluconeogenesis; vasoconstriction; immunosuppression
- Minerolocorticoids : sodium/water retention to increase blood volume/pressure
continue to support fight or flight
Stress response : Cortisol neg feedback to suppress response - ANS return to normal state
after stress
HPA axis not meant to sustain the response
Defining symptoms of PTSD - ANS 1. Intrusive memories - recurrent, unwanted memories of
traumatic event, nightmares, etc
2. Avoidance - avoiding thinking/talking about the event, avoiding reminders of it
3. Cognitive and mood disorder - negative thoughts about self, other people and world,
memory problems, lack of interest, detached, etc
4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions - easily startled, on guard, self-destructive
behavior, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggression, guilt/shame
Hypocortisolism - ANS in PTSD, NE/E and CRH levels elevated but cortisol is reduced
- higher CRH and lower cortisol leads to overactive sympathetic activity
- High CRH causes hippocampal atrophy
- Low cortisol causes autoimmune disease
Cortisol and PTSD risk factors - ANS - low levels of cortisol before/shortly after trauma is
predictive of subsequent PTSD
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
Stressor - ANS a physical (external), chemical (internal), or psychological (mental) factor
resulting in tension of the body or mind
goal of stress response - ANS maintain or re-gain homeostasis
4 normal stress responses of the body - ANS 1. sympathetic activation (within 2-3 seconds)
2. activation of adrenal medulla (20-30 seconds)
3. HPA axis activation (mins, hrs, or days)
4. cortisol neg feedback suppresses stress response (return to normal state after stress)
Stress response: Sympathetic activation - ANS - HR increase, vasoconstriction, sodium/water
retention lead to higher BP and better blood circulation
- Glycogenolysis, neoglucogenesis, lipolysis make nutrients more available
- Bronchial dilation results in more O2 intake
- Pupil dilation - more sensory info sent to brain
- Reduced digestion and bladder relaxation direct resources and attention to stressor
- Increased bloodflow to skeletal muscle - Sympathetic innervation of blood vessels of skeletal
muscle is cholinergic in animals and is mediated by E/beta2 receptors in both animals and
humans but to a lesser degree
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
, Stress response: Adrenal medulla activation - ANS - release Epinephrine, similar function as
Sympathetic activity
- sympathetic activity wanes quickly, E is more long lasting
Stress response: HPA axis - ANS - Glucocorticoids : breaking down proteins, fatty acids, and
glycogen; gluconeogenesis; vasoconstriction; immunosuppression
- Minerolocorticoids : sodium/water retention to increase blood volume/pressure
continue to support fight or flight
Stress response : Cortisol neg feedback to suppress response - ANS return to normal state
after stress
HPA axis not meant to sustain the response
Defining symptoms of PTSD - ANS 1. Intrusive memories - recurrent, unwanted memories of
traumatic event, nightmares, etc
2. Avoidance - avoiding thinking/talking about the event, avoiding reminders of it
3. Cognitive and mood disorder - negative thoughts about self, other people and world,
memory problems, lack of interest, detached, etc
4. Changes in physical and emotional reactions - easily startled, on guard, self-destructive
behavior, trouble sleeping, irritability, aggression, guilt/shame
Hypocortisolism - ANS in PTSD, NE/E and CRH levels elevated but cortisol is reduced
- higher CRH and lower cortisol leads to overactive sympathetic activity
- High CRH causes hippocampal atrophy
- Low cortisol causes autoimmune disease
Cortisol and PTSD risk factors - ANS - low levels of cortisol before/shortly after trauma is
predictive of subsequent PTSD
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
