Question 1

The sympathetic-adrenomedullary response involves the secretion of:

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic-adrenomedullary response involves the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are also commonly referred to as adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones are released from the adrenal glands in response to stress or a perceived threat and work to prepare the body for the fight or flight response. They increase heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate while also dilating the pupils and redirecting blood flow away from non-essential organs and towards the muscles.

Question 2

When faced with a potentially dangerous situation, increased ____________ nervous system activity prepares the body for rapid response by accelerating heart and respiratory rates and increasing blood pressure and muscle tension.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response in potentially dangerous situations. It activates the body's response by increasing heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and muscle tension to prepare for a rapid response. The autonomic nervous system and peripheral nervous system do play roles in this response, but the sympathetic nervous system is the primary driver of the fight or flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is responsible for the rest and digest response and opposes the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 3

An increased risk of coronary artery disease is linked to

Accepted Answer

The Type A behavior pattern, characterized by excessive competitiveness, aggression, impatience, and a sense of urgency, has been linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease.

Question 4

Variables that affect how stress is experienced and how it affects health and other aspects of functioning are called stress

Accepted Answer

Moderators are variables that affect the relationship between two other variables. In the case of stress, moderators can affect how it is experienced and how it impacts health and functioning. Examples of moderators include personality traits, social support, and coping strategies.

Question 5

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis involves a structure called the _____ in the brain, as well as a hormone called ______,

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis involves the hypothalamus in the brain, which releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which then stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. Therefore, the structure involved in the HPA axis is the hypothalamus, not the hippocampus. Melatonin is not involved in the HPA axis.

Question 6

One of the two major systems that are affected by the stress response is the ____________, which results in secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic-adrenomedullary system is responsible for the immediate release of epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to stress, leading to the "fight or flight" response. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis is the other major system involved in the stress response, but it is responsible for the longer-term release of cortisol. The parasympathetic and autonomic nervous systems are also involved in the stress response but are not directly responsible for the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Question 7

The type of immune system that protects the body by way of natural or artificially produced immunities is called the ____________ immune system.

Accepted Answer

The specific immune system targets specific pathogens and produces a response that is tailored to the particular invader. This is in contrast to the nonspecific immune system, which provides a general defense against any foreign substance. While both systems can involve natural or artificially produced immunities, it is the specificity of the response that characterizes the specific immune system. Therefore, the correct answer is B) specific.

Question 8

The immune system process that leads to the production of more white blood cells is known as

Accepted Answer

Phagocytosis is the process by which certain living cells called phagocytes ingest or engulf other cells or particles. It is a crucial mechanism in the immune system to remove pathogens and cell debris. The term specifically refers to the internalization and digestion of pathogens by phagocytes, leading to an immune response that includes the production of more white blood cells to combat infection.

Question 9

Artificial immunities are acquired through

Accepted Answer

Artificial immunities are acquired through vaccinations, which introduce a weakened or dead form of a pathogen into the body to stimulate the immune system to produce a response and develop an immunity to that particular pathogen. Breast milk and food can provide temporary passive immunity, but do not lead to long-term immunity. Prior disease exposure can lead to natural immunity, but this is not artificial.

Question 10

The role of the ____________ immune system is to provide universal protection against infections and diseases.

Accepted Answer

The term "nonspecific" refers to the fact that the immune response is not targeted toward a specific pathogen, but rather provides a broad defense against a variety of potential threats. The nonspecific immune system includes physical barriers (like skin), as well as various proteins and cells (like white blood cells) that can recognize and neutralize potential invaders.

Question 11

The fight-or-flight response was first described by

Accepted Answer

The fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Cannon in the 1920s. Cannon conducted studies on the sympathetic nervous system's response to stress and identified the physiological changes that occurred in relation to the fight-or-flight response.

Question 12

The originator of the General Adaptation Syndrome is

Accepted Answer

The General Adaptation Syndrome was first introduced by Hans Seyle in 1936, which describes the physiological response of the body to stressors.

Question 13

One of the two major systems that are affected by the stress response is the ____________, which results in increased production and/or secretion of corticotrophin-releasing factor, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol.

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis is the system that results in increased production and/or secretion of corticotrophin-releasing factor, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol during the stress response. The other systems mentioned (parasympathetic nervous system, sympathetic-adrenomedullary system, and autonomic nervous system) are involved in the stress response, but do not directly result in the production and secretion of these hormones.

Question 14

Which Type A characteristics are most associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease and heart attacks?

Accepted Answer

Anger and hostility have consistently been linked to an increased risk for coronary heart disease and heart attacks. While the other Type A characteristics may also have some impact on cardiovascular health, anger and hostility appear to be the most significant predictors of risk.

Question 15

The two types of white blood cells that secrete chemicals, antibodies, and toxins to kill invading microbes are called

Accepted Answer

T-cells and B-lymphocytes are the two types of white blood cells that secrete chemicals, antibodies, and toxins to kill invading microbes. T-cells directly attack infected cells and regulate the immune response, while B-lymphocytes produce antibodies that target specific pathogens.

Question 16

Depression, alcoholism, and eating disorders are linked to

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that depression, alcoholism, and eating disorders are associated with increased activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, which is involved in the regulation of stress response. This increased activity can lead to chronic activation of the stress response system, which may contribute to the development and maintenance of these disorders.

Question 17

The three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome are

Accepted Answer

The three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome are alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Alarm is the initial reaction to stress, resistance is the stage where the body tries to adapt and cope with stress, and exhaustion is the stage where the body's resources become depleted if stress persists for too long.

Question 18

Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of

Accepted Answer

Psychoneuroimmunology focuses on the interactions between the nervous system, the immune system, and psychological processes, examining how these relationships affect health and disease.

Question 19

A component of the nonspecific immune system that prevents microbes from getting into the body is called a(n) ______________barrier.

Accepted Answer

An anatomical barrier physically blocks pathogens from entering the body. Examples include the skin, mucous membranes, and the lining of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts. Protective, membrane, and microbe are not commonly used terms to describe this type of barrier in the immune system.

Question 20

Which statement is FALSE regarding inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation is a nonspecific immune system response, meaning it can be triggered by a variety of factors such as infection, injury, or exposure to irritants. The primary function of inflammation is to increase blood flow to the affected area, which allows immune cells to reach the site more easily. This increased blood flow can also cause redness and warmth at the site. Additionally, there is an increase in the number of white blood cells, particularly neutrophils, at the site of inflammation, which helps to fight off any potential pathogens. However, inflammation is not triggered by the specific immune system, as it does not require prior exposure to a specific pathogen or antigen.

Quiz 14: Health Psychology