Assignment Overview
Cortisol is an important hormone that is released in the stress response. In this module assignment, we will look at this hormone more closely to investigate:
the molecular composition of cortisol
the signaling pathway that elicits the production and release of cortisol
the cellular-, organ-, and organ system-level response that results from this cell signal
Case Assignment
Read the following articles:
The Physiology of Stress: Cortisol and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. and
The Relationship between Traumatic Stress, PTSD and Cortisol.
After reading these articles, develop a 10-15 slide presentation in the following format.
Slides 1 and 2: The cascade of hormonal signals described by the section titled "Neurochemistry of Stress" of the Randall (2011) article. Use simple ovals or circles to depict the regions that release specific hormones in the hormone cascade that results in the release of cortisol. Label the hormones and regions and organs involved using textboxes (both options appear in the "Insert" tab of the PowerPoint program).
Slides 3 and 4: Label and diagram the kidney and adrenal gland. Include the following:
Adrenal gland: cortex and medulla; regions associated with hormone production and release; hormones released in each region
Kidney: cortex and medulla; region of water absorption and filtering; region of urine collection
Slide 5: Diagram and label the HPA axis. Include the hormones released by each component and their effect on the target organ(s).
Slide 6: Using your diagram from Slide 5, include the location of the hippocampus and the negative feedback loop that occurs when the hippocampus detects high cortisol levels. In the notes section, include a brief description of the effects associated with elevated cortisol exposure to the hippocampus.
Slide 7: Using bulleted points, list factors that exacerbate the stress response through activation of the HPA axis.
Slide 8-10: Do some additional research on PTSD. Diagram the regions of the brain believed to be involved with symptoms of PTSD. Explain the relationship between PTSD and depression and include relevant regions of the brain in your labeled regions.
Slides 11-13: In bulleted points, summarize the varied findings in the studies described in the article, "The Relationship between Traumatic Stress, PTSD and Cortisol." Include the relationships found between cortisol levels and individuals with PTSD. In the notes include some explanations from the article for the variability in cortisol levels in these individuals. Explain the limitations of these studies mentioned by the author at the end of the article.