Chapter 3 Flashcards
What is a cell?
A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms, including those in the human body.
Why is understanding cellular processes important in health psychology?
Understanding how stress and disease affect cellular processes, such as inflammation or immune responses, is essential for studying chronic illnesses.
What are tissues?
Tissues are groups of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function, such as muscle tissue enabling movement.
How can psychological stress influence tissue health?
Psychological stress can influence tissue health by promoting inflammation, which is linked to conditions like heart disease and chronic pain.
What are organs?
Organs are complex structures composed of multiple tissue types that perform vital bodily functions, such as the heart pumping blood.
What impact do stress and lifestyle factors have on organ function?
Stress and lifestyle factors can impact organ function, contributing to diseases like hypertension and digestive disorders.
What does the nervous system consist of?
The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, which coordinate bodily functions and responses to stimuli.
Why is the nervous system’s role important in health psychology?
The nervous system’s role in stress responses and mental health disorders is crucial to understanding conditions like anxiety and depression.
What are neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons, influencing mood, cognition, and behavior.
What disorders are linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters?
Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine are linked to mental health disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.
What is the function of the brainstem?
The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions such as breathing and heart rate.
What are the consequences of damage to the brainstem?
Damage to the brainstem can have severe consequences, including disruptions in autonomic functions and consciousness.
What does the medulla regulate?
The medulla, located in the brainstem, regulates vital functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
How does psychological stress affect the medulla?
Psychological stress can activate the medulla’s response mechanisms, influencing cardiovascular health and autonomic regulation.
What is the role of the pons?
The pons, part of the brainstem, helps relay signals between the brain and spinal cord while playing a key role in sleep and arousal.
What disorders are associated with dysfunction in the pons?
Dysfunction in the pons has been associated with sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea, which impact overall health.
What is the reticular formation?
The reticular formation is a network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates consciousness, attention, and wakefulness.
What effect does chronic stress have on the reticular formation?
Chronic stress can dysregulate this system, leading to sleep disturbances and attentional difficulties.
What is the function of the thalamus?
The thalamus acts as a relay station, transmitting sensory information to the appropriate areas of the cerebral cortex for processing.
What disorders are linked to dysfunction in the thalamus?
Dysfunction in the thalamus is linked to neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and sensory processing issues.
What does the cerebellum coordinate?
The cerebellum coordinates movement, balance, and fine motor control, integrating sensory and motor information.
How might cerebellar dysfunction affect mental health?
Research suggests that cerebellar dysfunction may contribute to mental health conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
What is the limbic system involved in?
The limbic system is a network of brain structures involved in emotion, motivation, and memory formation.
How can stress and trauma affect the limbic system?
Stress and trauma can alter limbic system activity, affecting emotional regulation and increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.
What role does the amygdala play?
The amygdala processes emotions, especially fear and threat responses, playing a key role in survival mechanisms.
What is associated with overactivity of the amygdala?
Overactivity of the amygdala is associated with anxiety disorders, PTSD, and heightened stress responses.
What is the function of the hippocampus?
The hippocampus is crucial for learning and memory consolidation, particularly in forming long-term memories.
What effect does chronic stress have on the hippocampus?
Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can damage the hippocampus, leading to cognitive impairments and memory loss.
What does the hypothalamus regulate?
The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis by controlling hunger, thirst, body temperature, and the endocrine system.
What role does the hypothalamus play in the stress response?
It plays a major role in the stress response by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
What is the cerebral cortex responsible for?
The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions like reasoning, decision-making, and perception.
What can damage to the cerebral cortex affect?
Damage to the cerebral cortex can affect personality, judgment, and problem-solving abilities, impacting mental health.
What does the sensory cortex process?
The sensory cortex processes sensory input from the body, including touch, pain, and temperature.
What disorders are linked to changes in sensory processing?
Changes in sensory processing are linked to disorders like chronic pain and phantom limb syndrome.
What does the motor cortex control?
The motor cortex controls voluntary movements by sending signals to muscles.
Why is neuroplasticity important in the motor cortex?
Neuroplasticity in the motor cortex is essential for rehabilitation after stroke or injury.
What is the association cortex?
The association cortex integrates sensory and motor information to support higher-order thinking and decision-making.
What disorders are implicated in dysfunction of the association cortex?
Dysfunction in this region is implicated in cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
What does the endocrine system consist of?
The endocrine system consists of glands that release hormones to regulate body functions like metabolism, growth, and stress responses.
How can chronic stress affect the endocrine system?
Chronic stress can dysregulate the endocrine system, leading to hormonal imbalances that affect mood and immune function.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands that influence bodily functions.
What impact do stress hormones have?
Stress hormones like cortisol can impact mental and physical health, contributing to conditions like anxiety and obesity.
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is the ‘master gland’ that regulates growth, metabolism, and stress responses.
What can dysregulation of the pituitary gland lead to?
Dysregulation of the pituitary gland can lead to hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s disease.
What do the adrenal glands produce?
The adrenal glands produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that regulate stress responses.
What can chronic activation of the adrenal glands contribute to?
Chronic activation of the adrenal glands can contribute to anxiety and cardiovascular diseases.
What does the cardiovascular system include?
The cardiovascular system includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood, which transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
How can psychological stress affect the cardiovascular system?
Psychological stress can increase blood pressure and contribute to heart disease.
What is the function of the respiratory system?
The respiratory system enables oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal through the lungs.
How can chronic stress affect respiratory conditions?
Chronic stress can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma by increasing inflammation.
What are arteries?
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to tissues and organs.
What can chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices lead to regarding arteries?
Chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices can lead to arterial damage, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
What is the function of veins?
Veins return oxygen-depleted blood to the heart for reoxygenation in the lungs.
What conditions can poor circulation or prolonged inactivity lead to?
Poor circulation or prolonged inactivity can lead to conditions like varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
What are bronchi?
The bronchi are the main air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs, allowing air to reach the alveoli.
What can chronic exposure to pollutants lead to regarding bronchi?
Chronic exposure to pollutants or stress-induced inflammation can lead to bronchial constriction, contributing to asthma and other respiratory disorders.
What are cilia?
Cilia are tiny hair-like structures lining the respiratory tract that help clear mucus and trapped particles from the airways.
What can damage cilia?
Smoking and environmental toxins can damage cilia, reducing their ability to protect the lungs from infections and pollutants.
What are noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)?
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer that are not caused by infections.
What psychological factors contribute to NCDs?
Psychological factors like stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise significantly contribute to the development and progression of NCDs.
What is the digestive system responsible for?
The digestive system processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste to maintain overall health.
How can stress affect digestive function?
Stress and mental health conditions can disrupt digestive function, leading to issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux.
What are antigens?
Antigens are foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses, that trigger an immune response in the body.
How can chronic stress affect the immune system’s ability to recognize antigens?
Chronic stress can weaken the immune system’s ability to recognize and fight harmful antigens, increasing susceptibility to infections.
What are lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that play a critical role in the immune response by identifying and neutralizing pathogens.
What effect does high stress have on lymphocyte function?
High levels of stress can suppress lymphocyte function, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections and illnesses.
What is herd immunity?
Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, reducing its spread.
How do vaccination programs help achieve herd immunity?
Vaccination programs help achieve herd immunity, protecting individuals who are unable to receive vaccines due to medical conditions.
What are cytokines?
Cytokines are proteins that regulate immune responses, inflammation, and cell communication.
What can chronic stress cause regarding cytokines?
Chronic stress can cause an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation.
What is the reproductive system responsible for?
The reproductive system is responsible for producing gametes, supporting fertilization, and enabling reproduction.
How can psychological stress affect reproductive health?
Psychological stress and hormonal imbalances can negatively impact reproductive health, leading to infertility and menstrual irregularities.
What is a genome?
A genome is the complete set of an organism’s genetic material, encoding instructions for growth and function.
How does genome research help in health?
Advances in genome research help identify genetic predispositions to diseases such as cancer and mental health disorders.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to develop into various specialized cell types.
What breakthroughs have stem cell research led to?
Research on stem cells has led to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, offering potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and injuries.
What is a genotype?
A genotype refers to an individual’s genetic makeup, which determines inherited traits.
Why is understanding genotypes important in health psychology?
In health psychology, understanding genotypes can help explain genetic risks for conditions like depression and cardiovascular disease.
What is a phenotype?
A phenotype is the observable expression of an individual’s genotype, influenced by both genetics and environment.
How can lifestyle factors influence phenotypes?
Lifestyle factors such as diet and stress can influence phenotypic outcomes, affecting health and disease susceptibility.
What does the integumentary system include?
The integumentary system includes the skin, hair, and nails, serving as the body’s first line of defense against pathogens.
How can chronic stress affect the integumentary system?
Chronic stress can weaken skin barriers, increasing the risk of infections, premature aging, and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
What is the muscular system responsible for?
The muscular system allows movement, stability, and heat generation through the contraction of muscles.
What can stress and tension lead to in the muscular system?
Stress and tension can lead to muscle stiffness and pain, contributing to conditions such as tension headaches and fibromyalgia.
What does the skeletal system provide?
The skeletal system provides structural support, protects vital organs, and enables movement through joints and bones.
What can prolonged stress and poor nutrition lead to regarding the skeletal system?
Prolonged stress and poor nutrition can weaken bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
What is the function of the urinary system?
The urinary system removes waste and excess fluids from the body through the kidneys, bladder, and associated structures.
How can chronic stress affect the urinary system?
Chronic stress can contribute to urinary problems, such as frequent urination or urinary retention, due to hormonal imbalances and nervous system activity.
What is the microbe-gut-brain axis?
The microbe-gut-brain axis refers to the communication between gut microbiota and the brain, influencing mood and behavior.
What can disrupt gut microbiota?
Disruptions in gut microbiota due to stress, diet, or antibiotics can affect mental health, contributing to conditions like anxiety and depression.
What are microbiota?
Microbiota are the diverse microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that live in and on the human body, particularly in the gut.
Why is a balanced microbiota essential?
A balanced microbiota is essential for digestion, immunity, and mental health, while imbalances are linked to chronic diseases and mood disorders.
