Question 1

Walter Cannon proposed that the general adaptation syndrome involves a progression of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Accepted Answer

Hans Selye proposed the General Adaptation Syndrome, which involves the stages of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion, not Walter Cannon. Walter Cannon is known for the "fight or flight" response.

Question 2

The general adaptation syndrome is Walter Cannon's term for the three-stage progression of physical changes that occur when an organism is exposed to intense and prolonged stress.

Accepted Answer

The general adaptation syndrome is actually Hans Selye's term for the three-stage progression of physical changes that occur when an organism is exposed to intense and prolonged stress, not Walter Cannon's.

Question 3

The release of catecholamines is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system acting on the adrenal medulla, while the secretion of corticosteroids is triggered by the pituitary gland and ACTH acting on the adrenal cortex.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Catecholamines (such as adrenaline and noradrenaline) are released from the adrenal medulla in response to sympathetic nervous system activation, while corticosteroids (such as cortisol) are secreted from the adrenal cortex in response to pituitary gland and ACTH stimulation.

Question 4

People respond to an immediate threat with an increase in corticosteroids, but they respond to prolonged or chronic threats with an increase in catecholamines.

Accepted Answer

People respond to an immediate threat with an increase in catecholamines (such as adrenaline), while they respond to prolonged or chronic threats with an increase in corticosteroids (such as cortisol).

Question 5

The release of corticosteroids is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system acting on the adrenal medulla, while the secretion of catecholamines is triggered by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland acting on the adrenal cortex.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. The release of corticosteroids is triggered by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland acting on the adrenal cortex, while the secretion of catecholamines is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system acting on the adrenal medulla.

Question 6

The alarm stage of the general adaptation syndrome is best described as the body's attempts to resist or try to adjust to the continuing stressful situation.

Accepted Answer

The alarm stage is actually the initial reaction of the body to stress, where it goes into a "fight or flight" response, preparing to confront or avoid the threat.

Question 7

Catecholamines are hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla that cause rapid physiological arousal, helping to mobilize the body's resources to flee or fight an immediate threat to survival.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Catecholamines, such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, are released in response to stress or danger and prepare the body for fight or flight by increasing heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, among other responses.

Question 8

Walter Cannon is known for his description of the fight-or-flight response, which involves the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Walter Cannon, an American physiologist, described the fight-or-flight response as a physiological reaction to stress that involves activation of the sympathetic nervous system and release of hormones from the adrenal gland.

Question 9

Corticosteroids are hormones released by the adrenal cortex that play a key role in the body's response to long-term stressors.

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids are indeed hormones released by the adrenal cortex that not only play a key role in the body's response to long-term stressors but also regulate immune function, inflammation, and metabolism.

Question 10

In response to a stressor, the pituitary gland triggers ACTH release, which causes the adrenal medulla to release stress hormones called catecholamines.

Accepted Answer

The pituitary gland triggers the release of ACTH which causes the adrenal cortex (not medulla) to release stress hormones called glucocorticoids, such as cortisol. The adrenal medulla does release catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline in response to stress.

Question 11

Robert Ader is known for his description of the fight-or-flight response, which involves the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system.

Accepted Answer

The fight-or-flight response was described by Walter Cannon. Robert Ader is known for his work in psychoneuroimmunology, demonstrating how the mind can affect the immune system.

Question 12

Stress can indirectly affect a person's health by promoting behaviors that jeopardize physical well-being and can directly affect physical health by altering body functions.

Accepted Answer

Stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as overeating or substance abuse, which can impact physical health. Additionally, stress can affect body functions such as the immune system and cardiovascular system, directly causing health problems.

Question 13

A rapidly occurring chain of internal physical reactions that prepare people to either fight or take flight from an immediate threat is called the fight-or-flight response.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the fight-or-flight response, which is a natural physiological reaction that helps us respond quickly to potential danger. It involves a rapid release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, leading to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, as well as heightened awareness and muscle readiness. These changes help us to either defend ourselves (fight) or escape from harm (flight).

Question 14

In response to a stressor, the pituitary gland triggers ACTH release, which causes the adrenal cortex to release stress hormones called corticosteroids.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis response to stress. The pituitary gland does indeed release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in response to stress, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to release corticosteroids such as cortisol.

Question 15

Hans Selye described the response to acute threat, calling it the fight-or-flight response, while Walter Cannon described the response to prolonged or chronic stressors, calling it the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

Walter Cannon described the fight-or-flight response as the body's immediate reaction to a threatening situation, while Hans Selye described the General Adaptation Syndrome as the body's response to prolonged stress.

Question 16

The first stage of the general adaptation syndrome, during which intense arousal occurs as the body mobilizes internal physical resources to meet the demands of the stress-producing event, is called the resistance stage.

Accepted Answer

The first stage of the general adaptation syndrome is the alarm stage, during which the body experiences the "fight or flight" response. The resistance stage occurs after prolonged exposure to stressors, during which the body adapts and tries to maintain its normal functioning.

Question 17

The general adaptation syndrome is Hans Selye's term for the three-stage progression of physical changes that occur when an organism is exposed to intense and prolonged stress.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 18

Walter Cannon described the response to acute threat, calling it the fight-or-flight response, while Hans Selye described the response to prolonged or chronic stressors, calling it the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the theories and terminology of Walter Cannon and Hans Selye in regards to stress response.

Question 19

In the exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome, the symptoms of the alarm stage reappear, only this time irreversibly; as the body's energy reserves become depleted, adaptation begins to break down, leading to physical disorders, and, potentially, death.

Accepted Answer

The exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome is characterized by the reappearance of symptoms from the alarm stage, but this time they are irreversible. The body's energy reserves become depleted, which can lead to physical disorders and potentially death.

Question 20

Corticosteroids are hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla that cause rapid physiological arousal, helping to mobilize the body's resources to flee or fight an immediate threat to survival.

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids are actually hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex, not the adrenal medulla. Additionally, while they are involved in the stress response, they do not directly cause rapid physiological arousal or mobilize the body's resources for fleeing or fighting. Instead, they help regulate inflammation and the body's immune response.

Quiz 12: Section 3: Stress, Health, and Coping