Effects of stress on memory

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/effects-of-stress-on-memory

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary neuroendocrine pathway?Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, releasing glucocorticoids like cortisol
2. What is the vulnerable brain structures?Hippocampus (memory encoding/retrieval), Prefrontal Cortex (executive functions), Amygdala (emotional processing)
3. What happens to my brain when I feel very stressed?Stress releases hormones that can make the brain forget some things, especially when the stress is too much or lasts a long time. The hormones can shrink parts of the brain that help us remember.
4. Why does stress sometimes make me remember scary things better?Stress makes the amygdala, the part of the brain that feels fear, more active. This helps the brain keep memories of scary or emotional events stronger.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis: The body's central stress response system involving the brain and adrenal glands.
Long-Term Potentiation (LTP): A persistent strengthening of synapses based on recent patterns of activity, crucial for learning.
Neurogenesis: The process by which new neurons are generated in the brain.