Stress Management Training Stress Management Training: Physiological Responses 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hormone is primarily released by the adrenal medulla during acute stress?
- Cortisol
- Epinephrine (Correct answer)
- Aldosterone
- Insulin
Correct answer: Epinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine (adrenaline) rapidly during acute stress as part of the fight-or-flight response.
Question 2: What physiological change occurs in the digestive system during the stress response?
- Increased gastric acid secretion
- Enhanced nutrient absorption
- Reduced blood flow and slowed digestion (Correct answer)
- Increased peristalsis
Correct answer: Reduced blood flow and slowed digestion
During stress, blood is redirected away from the digestive system, slowing digestion so energy can be used by muscles and the brain.
Question 3: Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is activated during the relaxation response?
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Somatic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system (Correct answer)
- Central nervous system
Correct answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system governs the 'rest and digest' state, counteracting the stress-induced sympathetic response.
Question 4: Prolonged elevated cortisol levels are most directly associated with which health consequence?
- Improved immune function
- Suppressed immune function (Correct answer)
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased bone density
Correct answer: Suppressed immune function
Chronically high cortisol suppresses immune function, making the body more vulnerable to infections and disease.
Question 5: What happens to pupils during the acute stress response?
- They constrict to improve focus
- They dilate to allow more light in (Correct answer)
- They remain unchanged
- They become asymmetric
Correct answer: They dilate to allow more light in
Sympathetic activation causes pupil dilation, enhancing visual awareness to detect threats in the environment.
Question 6: The term 'allostatic load' refers to which stress-related concept?
- The initial surge of stress hormones
- The cumulative wear and tear on the body from chronic stress (Correct answer)
- The body's maximum stress tolerance
- A single acute stress event
Correct answer: The cumulative wear and tear on the body from chronic stress
Allostatic load is the cumulative physiological burden placed on the body as a result of repeated or chronic stress exposure.
Question 7: Which neurotransmitter is most closely linked to mood regulation and is often depleted by chronic stress?
- Dopamine
- Serotonin (Correct answer)
- Glutamate
- GABA
Correct answer: Serotonin
Serotonin plays a key role in mood stabilization, and chronic stress can deplete serotonin levels, contributing to depression and anxiety.
Stress Management Training Stress Management Training: Physiological Responses 2
Which hormone is primarily released by the adrenal medulla during acute stress?