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12 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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*Describe the concept of the General Adaptation Syndrome, including its three stages and its implications for today’s crises. |
-any threat to the body activates a generalized response to threat -1st stage is alarm, increased sympathetic nervous system activity -2nd stage is resistance, sympathetic response declines, cortisol released to maintain prolonged alertness, fight infections, and heal wounds -3rd stage is exhaustion, the individual is tired, inactive, and vulnerable because the nervous system and immune systems no longer have the energy to sustain their heightened responses -many modern crises are prolonged (paying off a mortgage, caring for aging parents, etc.) |
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*Describe the components and functions of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. |
-the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal cortex -hypothalamus acts on the anterior pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) -ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol -cortisol enhances metabolic activity and elevates blood levels of sugar |
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*Describe the components and functions of the immune system. |
-leukocytes (B cells, T cells, natural killer cells) - B cells secrete antibodies attach to specific foreign antigens -T cells attack foreign antigens directly or help other T cells or B cells to multiply -natural killer cells attack tumor cells and cells that are infected with viruses -cytokines (proteins produced by leukocytes) trigger the hypothalamus to produce fever, sleepiness, lack of energy, lack of appetite, and loss of sex drive -prostaglandins increased, promoting sleepiness |
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*Describe the effects of brief or prolonged stressors on immune function. |
-increased production of natural killer cells and cytokines -elevated cytokine levels show symptoms resembling illness, including fever, sleepiness, and decreased appetite -prolonged increase of cortisol directs energy to metabolism and away from synthesizing proteins needed in the immune system |
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*List the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
-frequent distressing recollections (flashbacks) and nightmares about the traumatic event, -avoidance of reminders of it -vigorous reactions to noises and other stimuli |
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*Describe the relation between size of hippocampus, cortisol levels, and vulnerability to PTSD. |
vulnerability to PTSD increased in people with: -smaller than average hippocampus -lower than normal cortisol levels both immediately after the traumatic event and weeks later |
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What kind of cell releases cytokines? |
Leukocytes, which are part of the immune system, release cytokines. |
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What behavioral changes do cytokines stimulate? |
Cytokines stimulate neurons to produce fever, decreased hunger, decreased sex drive, and increased sleepiness. |
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How do the effects of prolonged stress mimic the effects of illness? |
Prolonged stress increases release of cytokines. Cytokines tell the brain to initiate responses to combat illness, such as fever, inactivity, and loss of appetite. |
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How does prolonged stress damage the hippocampus? |
Stress increases the release of cortisol, which enhances metabolic activity throughout the body. When neurons in the hippocampus have high metabolic activity, they become more vulnerable to damage by toxins or overstimulation. |
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How do the cortisol levels of PTSD victims compare to those of other people? |
People with PTSD have lower than normal cortisol levels in contrast to most people, who show elevated cortisol levels in response to stress. |
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What evidence indicates that a smaller than average hippocampus makes people more vulnerable to PTSD? |
On average, PTSD victims have a smaller than average hippocampus. For those who have an identical twin, the twin also has a smaller than average hippocampus, even if he or she does not have PTSD. |
