Adrenaline and the Fight or Flight Response

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

• Normally produced by both the adrenal glands and certain neurons
• Plays a crucial role in the fight or flight response

Effects of Adrenaline

• Increases blood flow to muscles
• Increases heart output
• Causes pupil dilation
• Stimulates blood sugar levels by:
  • Converting glycogen to glucose (glycogenolysis)
  • Synthesizing glucose from glycerol and amino acids
• Inhibits the synthesis of glycogen from glucose

Glucose Regulation

• Glucose concentration in the blood is controlled by the pancreas
• Pancreas produces:
  • Digestive enzymes
  • Hormones insulin and glucagon

Insulin Function

• Released when glucose concentration rises
• Stimulates the liver and muscles to:
  • Remove excess glucose from the blood
  • Store it as glycogen

Glucagon Function

• Released when glucose concentration falls
• Stimulates the liver to:
  • Convert stored glycogen into glucose
  • Release glucose into the bloodstream

Blood Glucose Homeostasis

• The pancreas maintains glucose concentration in the blood within narrow limits through the regulation of insulin and glucagon.

This quiz covers the functions of adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, in the body's fight or flight response. It includes its role in increasing blood flow, heart rate, and glucose synthesis.