L2: Theories of stress and stress biology

Question 1

What is the function of stress response according to Cannon?

Answer 1

to restore homeostasis

Question 2

why is Cannon’s theory on stress response’s function wrong?

Answer 2

1. body shows aniticpatory reactions during stress (even before waking up your bodys cortisol levels go up cause your bodys preparing to wake up)
2. the body often has multiple set point
3. health is characterized by a flexible adaptation = allostasis

Question 3

what is homeostasis vs allostasis

Answer 3

homeostatis models define health as a state in which all physio parameters operate within normal values.
allostasis defines health as a state of responsiveness and optimal predictive fluctuation to adapt to demands of environment

Question 4

define allostasis

Answer 4

maintaining physio stability by adapting to demands
aka ability to achieve stability through change

Question 5

how is allostasis critical to survival?

Answer 5

through allostasis, the autonomic NS, the HPA axis and the cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems protect the body by responding to internal & external stress

Question 6

define allostatic load (AL)

Answer 6

represents the “wear and tear” on the body after repeated allostatic responses
aka long term effect of the physiological response to stress

Question 7

is stress bad?

Answer 7

chornic stress is bad
acute stress is “good”

Question 8

what is chornic vs acute stress

Answer 8

acute stress = fight or flight or major life events
chronic stress = cumulative load of minor, day to day stresses

Question 9

what may make the effects of chronic stress worse vs alleviate them?

Answer 9

a rich diet & use of tobacco & alcohol
reduced by moderate exercise

Question 10

what 2 factors largely determine individual responses to potentially stressful situations?

Answer 10

• the way a person perceives a situation
• persons general state of physical health, determined not only by genetics but also by behavioural & lifestyle choices

Question 11

by what is the ability to adjust/habituate to repeated stress determined?

Answer 11

the way one perceives a situation
ex: most ppl get used to the stress of public speaking by doing it frequently, but not everyone! some ppls stress levels keep increasing

Question 12

what is the James Lange theory of emotions

Answer 12

predicts emotion physiology specificity
you become physiologically aware of something happening in your body so you interpret that as an emotion (i am sweating so i must be stressed)

Question 13

what is the Cannon Bard theory of emotion

Answer 13

predicts nonspecific physiological arousal
if you have a stress response it affects your behaviour, emotions, physio but it happens in parallel

Question 14

what 3 NS systems does the prototypical biological stress response involve?

Answer 14

• HPA axis (cortisol as its main effector)
• sympathetic NS (noradrenalin, adrenalin as its main effectors)
• parasympathetic NS (diffuse effects)

Question 15

is there 1 or multiple stress responses?

Answer 15

multiple
but fight or flight (aka active coping) response is protoypical and most common in humans

Question 16

what are the symptoms of chronic stress

Answer 16

feelings of ftaigue, lack of energy, irritability, demoralization, hostility

Question 17

what 4 main situations lead to allostatic load?

Answer 17

• frequent stress aka repeated hits from ++ stressors
• lack of adaptation to repeated stress
• inability to turn off the stress response after challenge ends: prolonged response
• inadequate responses by some systems leading to compensatory increases in others

Question 18

what can exacerbate allostatic load?

Answer 18

prolonged anticipation & worry & lifestyle factors (like tobacco, alcohol, diet, lack of exercice)

Question 19

how are allostatic responses initiated?

Answer 19

by an increase in circulating catecholoamines from the autonomic NS and glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex
this sets into motion adaptive processes that alter structure & function of various cells & tissues (set into motion through intracellular receptors for steroid hormones, plasma membrane receptors, and second messenger systems for catecholamines & cross talk between catecholamines and glucocorticoic signaling systems)

Question 20

how does allostatic load show in the cardiovascular & metabolic systems?

Answer 20

stress
- increases risk of heart disease, hypertension, and metabolic disorders
- elevated blood pressure
- atherosclerosis
- changes in fat distributio

Question 21

how does allostatic load show in the brain?

Answer 21

stress
- affects hippocampus (stress induced cortisol secretion impairs memory and over time can cause structural damage to hippocampus which can then worsen stress)
- accelerates brain aging

Question 22

how does allostatic load show in the immune system?

Answer 22

stress
- temperoraliy enhances immune responses by mobilizing immune cells
- chornic stress suppresses immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections & can worsen autoimmune or inflammatory conditions

Question 23

what are the social & economic implications of allostatic load?

Answer 23

• more seen in lower SES groups
• job insecurity, social instability, and poor living conditions further worsen stress and thus allostatic load

Question 24

what are ways of addressing allostatic load?

Answer 24

• promote social support
• help patients develop coping skills
• encourage healthy lifestyle changes
• workplace interventions

Question 25

What are the 2 broad types of stress management?

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Answer 25

those that focus on physical & mental relaxation & those that focus on cognition and behaviour