Chapter 2

Question 1

Homeostasis

Answer 1

• remaining stable while staying the same
• a state in which all systems are in balance
• a state of equilibrium
  an ideal set point despite alterations within the body

Question 2

Allostasis

Answer 2

• the ability to successfully adapt to changes
• intricate regulatory processes orchestrated by the brain
• a dynamic process that maintains or reestablishes homeostasis in light of environmental and lifestyle changes

Question 3

Stress

Answer 3

physical, chemical, or emotional factors resulting in tension of body or mind. A real or perceived threat to homeostasis

Question 4

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Answer 4

3 stages

• alarm
• resistance/adaptation
• exhaustion

Question 5

Alarm Stage

Answer 5

fight or flight response due to stressful stimulus
- Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal
(HPA) axis

Question 6

Resistance/adaptation stage

Answer 6

activity of the nervous and endocrine systems in returning the body to homeostasis (allostatic state)

Question 7

Exhaustion

Answer 7

the point where the body can no longer return to homeostasis
(results in allostatic overload)

Question 8

Allostatic overload

Answer 8

cost of the body’s organs and tissues for an excessive or ineffectively regulated allostatic response; the effect of wear and tear on the body

Question 9

Stressors

Answer 9

agents or conditions that can produce stress; endanger homeostasis

Question 10

Risk factors

Answer 10

not a stressor, but conditions or situations that increase the likelihood of encountering a stressor

Question 11

Catecholamines

Answer 11

• play an integral role in allostasis
• Sympathetco-adrenal system response mediates the fight or flight response
• Ex: Norepinephrine & epinephrine

Question 12

Norepinehrine

Answer 12

• constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

- Reduces gastric secretion. Increases night and far vision

Question 13

Epinephrine

Answer 13

• Enhances myocardial contractility, increases heart rate, and increases cardiac output.
• Causes bronchodilation
• Increases release of glucose from liver (raises blood glucose levels)

Question 14

Adrenocortical Steroids

Answer 14

• critical to maintenance of homeostasis
• may synergize or antagonize effects of catecholamines
• ex: cortisol and aldosterone

Question 15

Cortisol

Answer 15

• primary glucocorticoid
• affects protein metabolism
• promotes appetite and food seeking behaviors
• has anti inflammatory effects

Question 16

Aldosterone

Answer 16

• primary mineralocorticoid
• promotes reabsorption of sodium and water
• increase blood pressure

Question 17

Endorphins and Enkephalins

Answer 17

Endogenous oipods (the body’s natural pain relievers)
- raise pain threshold and
produce sedation and
euphoria

Question 18

Immune Cytokines

Answer 18

- Secreted by macrophages    
during stress response 
- enhance immune system response 
- prolonged stress can suppress immune functioning 
- interlukin 1

Question 19

Sex hormones

Answer 19

• affect stress responses influencing allostasis
• may help explain gender responses during stress
• ex: estrogen, testosterone, and dehydroeiandrosterone

Question 20

Growth Hormone

Answer 20

can increase during stress to enhance immune function

Question 21

Prolactin

Answer 21

• similar to structure of growth hormone

- role in immune response

Question 22

Oxytocin

Answer 22

• produced during childbirth and lactation
• associated with bonding and social attachment
• thought to moderate stress response and produce a calming effect

Question 23

Effects of stress response influenced by

Answer 23

genetics
socioeconomic status
prior susceptibilities 
preexisting health status 
allostatic state 
ability to manage stress

Question 24

Adaptation

Answer 24

process of change in response to new or altered circumstances, internal or external in origin

Question 25

Coping

Answer 25

behavioral adaptive response to a stressor using culturally based coping mechanisms

Question 26

distress

Answer 26

perceived inability to cope with a stressor

Question 27

Adaptation methods for stress

Answer 27

Habituation 
desensitation
- biofeedback 
- visualization 
- meditation