Stress

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

• the collective physiological and emotional responses to any stimulus that disturbs an individual’s homeostasis
• stress can be acute, episodic or chronic depending on the stressors that cause the stress response.

Question 2

What is a stress response?

Answer 2

the physiological changes associated to stress

Question 3

What is a stressor?

Answer 3

a situation or event (stimuli) that triggers physical and emotional reactions.

Question 4

What is eustress?

Answer 4

the optimal amount of stress

Question 5

what is distress?

Answer 5

exceeding the optimal level of stress.

Question 6

What are the (2) major control systems responsible for the physiological response to stress?

Answer 6

1) Nervous System

2) Endocrine System

Question 7

What two divisions make up the Nervous System?

Answer 7

Autonomic Nervous system is comprised of the:

• Parasympathetic division (relaxation, food digestion, energy storage)
• Sympathetic division (arousal during times of exercise and emergencies; pain, anger, fear).

Question 8

What are the two distinct responses to a stressor?

Answer 8

1) Physiological

2) Cognitive

Question 9

What happens in the endocrine system during a stressful event?

Answer 9

Glands, tissues and cells release hormones in the presence of stress to assist with bodily function.

Question 10

Which chemical messengers are released during the Stress Response?

Answer 10

1) Norepinephrine
2) Epinephrine
3) Cortisol
4) Endorphins

Question 11

What is Norepinephrine?

Answer 11

Neurotransmitter released by the sympathetic division to increase body functions

Question 12

What is Cortisol?

Answer 12

Steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal gland (stage of resistance).

Question 13

What is Epinephrine?

Answer 13

Hormone secreted by the adrenal gland that boosts supply of O2 and glucose to the brain and muscles.

Question 14

What are Endorphins?

Answer 14

Brain secretions that have pain-inhibiting effects

Question 15

Hormones trigger ________ changes. Provide examples.

Answer 15

Physiological changes

• heart and respiration rates increase
• hearing and vision become more acute
• liver releases extra sugar to boost energy
• perspiration
• brain releases endorphins

Question 16

The _________ division of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the release of key hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine.

Answer 16

The Sympathetic division

Question 17

A person’s response to a stressful situation depends of which (4) factors?

Answer 17

1) Personality
2) Cultural Background
3) Gender
4) Experience

Question 18

What are the (3) stages of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)? Explain each.

Answer 18

1) Alarm: the body initially responds to a stressor
2) Resistance: if the stressor continues, the body mobilizes to withstand the stress and return to normal (homeostasis)
3) Exhaustion: stressor is ongoing; extreme stressors deplete the body’s resources so we function at less than normal.
- after exhaustion, we can either return to homeostasis if the stressor has been resolved, or we continue on this downward trend, becoming more susceptible to illness and eventually death. #stresskills

Question 19

What health risks are people who suffer from chronic stress more susceptible too? (4)

Answer 19

1) cardiovascular disease
2) cancer
3) psychological problems
4) altered functioning of the immune system