Chapter 11.3: Stress and Health

Question 1

Which hormone does the alarm stage release, but the resistance stage does not?

Answer 1

Epinephrine

Question 2

How do the functions of the HPA axis compare to those of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 2

The sympathetic nervous system readies the body for brief, vigorous action, and the HPA axis prepares the body for prolonged coping with a persistent stressor

Question 3

How does McEwen’s definition of stress differ from Selye’s?

Answer 3

Selye’s definition applied equally to favorable or unfavorable events

Question 4

Which cells of the immune system secrete antibodies?

Answer 4

Natural killer cells, T cells, and B cells equally

Question 5

Why do nearly all infections produce similar symptoms, such as fever, sleepiness, and loss of energy?

Answer 5

The immune system sends prostaglandins to the brain, where they stimulate the hypothalamus to produce these effects

Question 6

What are the effects of stress on the immune system?

Answer 6

Brief stress activates the immune system, but prolonged stress weakens it

Question 7

Prolonged stress is known to damage which brain area?

Answer 7

The hippocampus

Question 8

Which of these increases resilience?

Answer 8

Social support