Chapter 2A & 2B
The autonomic nervous system is part of the__________.
What are the primary inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters respectively?
1. GABA
2. Glutamate
Distinguish between stress and stressor.
Stress is a psychological and biological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/or efforts to cope. Whereas;
Stressors are stimuli that demand attention and efforts to cope.
Jason began working at Kmart when he was 16 (he is now 20) and does not enjoy it, so he continue to miss shifts. When Jason is eventually fired, he feels worried about his finances but is very excited to now have to find a job somewhere he might enjoy. He begins submitting his resume to other places immediately.
According to the Transactional Model of stress and coping, Jason's primary appraisal is likely:
Stressful, followed by challenge
The gut and brain communicate via the:
vagus nerve
State four physiological changes that occur when the sympathetic nervous system is dominant
- Dilated pupils
- Inhibited salivation
- Increased HR
- Dilated airways/increased breathing
- Release of glucose
- Slowed digestion
The axon is the long stick-like part of the neuron that extends down from the body of the cell to the end.
It is responsible for transmitting the electrical impulse down from the receiving end of the neuron to the sending end.
What is eustress? Provide an example.
Eustress: a positive psychological response to a stressor.
Example: planning and preparing your 18th party
After completing Year 12, Monica was moody, lost her appetite and started to get sick very frequently.
Identify and describe the stage of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome Monica is likely to be in.
Exhaustion: the body is unable to maintain heightened arousal and as a result of high levels of cortisol in the body, Monica’s immune system is compromised.
Distinguish between the gut microbiome and the gut microbiota.
1.The gut microbiota refers to all of the microorganisms that live in the gut.
2.The gut microbiome refers to all of the genes of the microorganisms that live in the gut
What are the two main functions of the spinal cord?
1. Carry sensory information such as pain, heat, or an itch on your skin, from the various areas of the body such as the arms, legs, and external organs, to the brain for processing
2. Carry motor (movement) information from the brain to the relevant parts of the body such as the muscles, glands, and organs so that action can be taken
Explain the process of synaptic transmission (hint: neurochemicals, pre-synaptic neruon, post-synaptic neuron, synapse)
1. Neurochemicals are produced in the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron.
2. Neurochemicals are released from the axon terminals of the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic gap.
3. Neurochemicals bind to receptor sites on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron.
4. Neurochemicals affect the postsynaptic neuron, either triggering or inhibiting a response.
Provide an example of an internal and and external stressor.
Possible internal: negative thinking patterns, rumination, medication
Possible external: breaking phone, losing job, assessments
Identify and briefly explain the three stages of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome.
Alarm reaction: shock (biological functions fall below normal) and counter shock (sympathetic NS responses occur)
Resistance: body sustains high levels of arousal
Exhaustion: resistance falls below normal levels
The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain through the enteric and central nervous systems.
●The enteric nervous system refers to the network of nerves in the gut and is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system.
Jenny likely experienced the freeze response.
This is because she immediately fled from the stressor (rhino) and ran back on to the bus.
During the freeze response, Jenny's sympathetic nervous system became dominant, releasing adrenaline and cortisol to allow her to deal with the stressor and maintain functioning. Jenny's heartrate and breathing likely increased during this time until she got back to safety.
Distinguish between sprouting, rerouting, and pruning in synaptic plasticity.
1. Sprouting is the ability of dendrites or axons to develop new extensions or branches. This increases the reach of the neuron and enables the formation of new synaptic connections. Whereas;
2. Rerouting is the ability of a neuron that is connected to a damaged neuron to create an alternative synaptic connection with an undamaged neuron. Finally;
3. Pruning is the elimination of synaptic connections that are not adequately activated.
What is cortisol and what does it do during short-term and long-term stress?
●Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal. It is released by the adrenal glands, and is involved in both short-term and longer-term responses to stress.
During the stress response, cortisol serves the adaptive functions of: •Increasing blood sugar levels •Improving metabolism •Energising the body •Reducing inflammation
However, when stress is long-term and high cortisol levels remain in the bloodstream, cortisol can suppress the immune system.
Outline one strength and one limitation of Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
Strengths:
Acknowledges the relationship of stress to sickness and disease
Identifies the biological processes associated with different stages of stress
Limitations:
One size fits all
Ignores psychological/cognitive processes involved in stress response
Research is based primarily on animals
Define both approach and avoidance strategies
Approach strategies are coping mechanisms which involve directly confronting and working to reduce the source of stress. These strategies generally deal with stress in a practical way.
Avoidance strategies are coping mechanisms which involve evading or distancing oneself from the source of stress. These strategies often deal with the more emotional components of stress, channeling thoughts and behaviour away from the stressor.
Explain the four-step process involved in a spinal reflex response.
2. Interneuron in spinal cord relays sensory information from sensory neuron to motor neuron, causing motor signal and initiating unconscious automatic response.
3. Motor message transmitted via motor neurons in somatic NS to skeletal muscles to carry out response.
4. Sensory message continues to travel to the brain.
When learning to throw a right hook, Ms Porcic continues to position her fist the wrong way. Her trainer shows her the correct way and gets her to practice the right hook using this technique 50 times in a row. After the 50 times are up, Ms Porcic feels like the new technique feels more comfortable than the old one.
Why is this the case according (with reference to changes in the synapse and synaptic connections)?
1. LTP (strengthening due to repeated co-activation of pre and post synaptic neurons) of connections which represent the new hook technique
2. LTD (weakening due to low intensity stimulation of post synpatic neuron) of connections whichb represent old tecnhique
What happens during the freeze response and what function does it serve?
When freeze is initiated the energy conserving actions of the
parasympathetic NS take over and dominate the sympathetic
action.
This leaves the organism in a physiological state involving high
arousal of both divisions of the autonomic NS – it is like having a foot on both the accelerator and the brake
When the opportunity for flight-fight takes place the organism can quickly switch to the highly energised state of full sympathetic NS arousal
Freezing tends to have an adaptive value among animals when fearful or threatened
Harry is a performer who is used to singing for packed out arenas. However, during his world tour he needs to perform at the biggest arena he has ever been at- in front of 60,000 fans. This causes him to feel uneasy, and he begins to worry about what might go wrong during the show.
Harry speaks to his producer who talks him through the show rundown. He also schedules one extra rehearsal to make sure everything runs smoothly. After this, he feels a lot better.
Describe Harry's appraisal (primary and secondary) using the Transactional Model.
Primary- stressful, threat
Secondary- uses approach strategies and has sufficient resources to allow him to cope with the stressor, thus reducing stress.
Selena is stressed because one of her best friends Taylor is getting negative attention on social media. She wants to support her friend as best as possible, so she deletes her social media accounts in solidarity.
Is Selena displaying high or low context-specific effectiveness? Why or why not?
Yes- the stressor is coming from social media so therefore getting rid of it will also alleviate the stressor. Given she is doing it in solidarity, it would suggest her friend has done the same.