Question 1

Which of the following is an accurate description of the relationship between stress,the immune system,and cancer?

Accepted Answer

The physiological effects of stress have been shown to inhibit several aspects of the immune system's response to cancer, including decreased NK-cell activity and reduced cytotoxic T-cell activity. This suggests that chronic or prolonged stress may contribute to a weakened immune system response to cancer and potentially higher rates of cancer development.

Question 2

Rosemary is interested in studying the relationships between emotion,the nervous system,and the immune system.She would be most interested in the field of

Accepted Answer

Rosemary's interest in studying the relationships between emotions, the nervous system, and the immune system clearly falls under the field of psychoneuroimmunology, which explores the interconnectedness of psychological processes, neurological functioning, and the immune system. Choice A (cognitive psychology) focuses on mental processes such as perception, attention, and memory, while choice B (psychopharmacology) is concerned with the study of drugs and their effects on behavior and mental processes. Choice D (neurology) is related to the study of the structure and function of the brain and nervous system but doesn't explicitly address the relationship between emotions and the immune system.

Question 3

In the context of the relationship between stress and cardiovascular disease,the surge in adrenaline caused by severe emotional stress causes

Accepted Answer

The surge in adrenaline caused by severe emotional stress can cause the blood to clot more rapidly, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This can lead to the formation of blood clots in the arteries, which can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true of the preliminary hypotheses about the interaction that causes vulnerability to disease?

Accepted Answer

The preliminary hypotheses suggest that stressful situations make individuals more susceptible to diseases, rather than increasing the efficiency of the immune system or directly promoting disease-fighting processes. The hypotheses do not suggest that stressful experiences cause the deactivation of dormant viruses.

Question 5

According to Hans Selye,in which of the following stages of the general adaptation syndrome does a person exert an all-out effort to combat stress?

Accepted Answer

In the resistance stage of the general adaptation syndrome, the body exerts an all-out effort to combat the stressor. This is the stage where the body tries to cope with the continuous stressor, and physiological changes occur to adapt to the stressor. The alarm stage is the initial reaction to stress, the primary stage is not a part of the general adaptation syndrome, and the exhaustion stage is when the body depletes its resources and becomes susceptible to illness and disease.

Question 6

During the _____ stage of the general adaptation syndrome,a number of glands throughout the body manufacture hormones that protect an individual in stress.

Accepted Answer

During the resistance stage of the general adaptation syndrome, the body activates its defenses and produces hormones from various glands to cope with the stressor. The alarm stage is the first stage when the body mobilizes its fight-or-flight response, and the exhaustion stage is the final stage when the body's resources are depleted, and it becomes vulnerable to illnesses and other risks. The primary stage is not part of the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 7

The immune system and the central nervous system both rely on _____ mediators for communication.

Accepted Answer

Both the immune system and the central nervous system use chemical mediators for communication. The immune system uses cytokines, chemokines, and other signaling molecules, while the central nervous system uses neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and other signaling molecules.

Question 8

If a person's body's all-out effort to combat stress fails and the stress persists,the individual moves into the _____ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome occurs when the body's resources have been depleted in trying to combat stress and it is unable to continue to respond. It is the final stage after the initial alarm and mobilization stage and the subsequent resistance stage.

Question 9

A surge in _____ caused by severe emotional stress may contribute to one's risk of a heart attack.

Accepted Answer

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. It causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, which can place additional strain on the heart and potentially lead to a heart attack.

Question 10

The body system that plays the greatest role in Hans Selye's general adaptation syndrome is called the

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a major part of the body's response to stress and is highly involved in the general adaptation syndrome proposed by Hans Selye. The HPA axis is responsible for releasing cortisol, a stress hormone, which helps the body cope with stress in the short term but can have negative health effects if stress is chronic. The other options (parasympathetic system, cingulate gyrus, prefrontal cortex) are not as directly involved in the stress response and adaptation as the HPA axis.

Question 11

Which of the following is a similarity between the central nervous system and the immune system of human beings?

Accepted Answer

Both the central nervous system and the immune system possess sensory and motor elements. The central nervous system is responsible for transmitting sensory input, integrating and processing that input, and coordinating motor output. Likewise, the immune system is responsible for detecting foreign invaders (sensory input), mounting an immune response (integration and processing), and targeting and destroying the invaders (motor output). While there are some anatomical similarities between the two systems (such as the presence of specialized cells), they perform different tasks and failure of each system can lead to distinct diseases. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect.

Question 12

In the context of stress and its effects on the immune system,who among the following is most likely to catch the flu?

Accepted Answer

Janice, who has been working on a high-stakes project for nearly six months, is more likely to catch the flu due to the stress she is experiencing. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making it easier to catch infections such as the flu. The other options - Harry delegating his work, Chris on vacation, and Kenneth with a moderate workload - do not suggest high levels of stress and therefore would not necessarily predict a higher risk of catching the flu.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of the relationship between stress and cardiovascular disease?

Accepted Answer

Chronic emotional stress has been found to be strongly associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and early death due to cardiovascular disease. Major life changes such as divorce, death of a loved one, or moving do not necessarily provide protection against heart disease. While smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, there is no evidence to suggest that people in a chronically stressed state are less likely to take up smoking. The body's internal reactions to stress, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate, also contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Question 14

According to the general adaptation syndrome,serious damage to the body may occur during the _____ stage.

Accepted Answer

During the exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome, the body's resources are depleted and it becomes vulnerable to serious damage and illness. This stage occurs if the stressor persists for a prolonged period and the body is unable to cope effectively. Therefore, serious damage may occur during this stage. The alarm, resistance, and coping stages do not typically result in serious damage to the body.

Question 15

After studying all week for final exams,eating poorly,and not getting enough sleep,Shelly woke up the day after her last exam with the flu.Shelly is in the _____ stage of the general adaptation syndrome.

Accepted Answer

The exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome occurs when the body has been unable to cope with prolonged exposure to stressors. In this scenario, Shelly's body was under stress due to poor eating habits, lack of sleep, and the stress of studying for exams. This weakened her immune system and made her more susceptible to getting sick, resulting in the exhaustion stage.

Question 16

In the context of associating cardiovascular diseases with stress,who among the following is most likely to suffer from a cardiovascular disease?

Accepted Answer

A person working on difficult projects for months is more likely to experience chronic stress, which has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases over time. Walking in a park or getting a parking ticket may cause acute stress, but they are not likely to have a long-term impact on cardiovascular health. Similarly, writing a test may cause acute stress, but it is not necessarily indicative of chronic stress.

Question 17

Katie has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is under significant stress.She is undergoing a series of chemotherapy treatments.According to Hans Selye,Katie is currently in the _____ stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS).

Accepted Answer

The resistance stage of GAS occurs when the body tries to resist or adapt to the stressor. In this stage, the body increases its activity level to maintain its response to the stressor. In Katie's case of undergoing chemotherapy, her body is trying to resist and adapt to the stressor by increasing its immune response to fight cancer cells.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the relationship between the immune system and stress?

Accepted Answer

The statement that acute stressors enhance the immune system functioning is not true. While acute stressors can temporarily increase certain immune system functions, chronic stressors are generally associated with a diminished immune response.

Question 19

Todd,who has been under a lot of stress lately,experiences a heart attack at his workplace.According to the general adaptation syndrome (GAS),Todd's body is most likely in the

Accepted Answer

The exhaustion stage is the final stage of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS), where the body's resources are depleted after prolonged stress, leading to increased vulnerability to health issues like a heart attack.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true of stress and the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a peptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus in the central nervous system and by immune cells. It plays a crucial role in coordinating the stress response and immune function. CRH stimulates the release of cortisol from the adrenal gland, which suppresses the immune system's inflammatory response. This shared link between the central nervous system and the immune system underscores the close relationship between stress and immune function. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not reflect this shared link between the stress and immune responses.

Quiz 17: Health Psychology