Ch. 11 - Emotional Behaviours Flashcards
1
Q
Behavioural medicine
A
-Emphasizes the effects of stressful experiences, diet, smoking, exercise, and other behaviours
2
Q
Stress
A
- The non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it
- Discovered by Han Selye
3
Q
General Adaptation Syndrome
A
- STAGE 1: ALARM. The adrenal glands release the hormone epinephrine, thereby stimulating the sympathetic nervous system to ready the body for bbrief emergency activity
- The adrenal glands also release cortisol, which increases blood glucose, providing the body with extra energy.
- To maintain energy for emergency activity, the body temporarily suppresses less urgent activities, such as sexual arousal
- STAGE 2: RESISTANCE. The sympathetic response declines, but the adrenal glands continue secreting cortisol and other hormones that enable the body to maintain alertness.
- STAGE 3: EXHAUSTION. After prolonged stress, the body enters exhaustion. During this stage, the individual is tired, inactive, and vulnerable because the nervous and immune systems no longer have the nergy to sustain their responses
4
Q
What function does cortisol play in the initial response to stress?
A
-Cortisol increases blood levels of glucose and therefore makes more energy available
5
Q
Stress activates 2 body systems…
A
- The sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for brief fight-or-flight emergency responses
- The HPA AXIS, consisting of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal cortex.
6
Q
HPA axis
A
- Activation of the hypothalamus induces the anterior pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- -> Which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol
- -> Which enhances metabolic activity, elevates blood levels of sugar, and increases alertness
7
Q
Leukocytes
A
- The primary components of the immune system are the leukocytes, commonly known as WHITE BLOOD CELLS
- 3 types of leukocytes are: B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells
