Questions and Answers
How does the physiological stress response aid in survival?
Predator/Prey response, increases heart rate and blood pressure to deliver energy to muscles.
How does the inappropriate activation of the stress response in modern humans lead to disease?
Stressed for non-physiological reasons continuously over time leads to health issues.
What are the significant findings of Robert Sapolsky's work on baboons?
Relationship between stress and hierarchy; lower rank leads to increased stress hormones and health decline.
What physiological changes occur during the fight-or-flight response?
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How does chronic elevation of glucocorticoids affect brain cells?
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How do stress hormones affect cardiovascular health?
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How does stress affect memory?
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What was the Whitehall Study and what were its findings?
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What were the long-term effects of being born during the Dutch Hunger Winter?
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How does stress or stress hormones affect telomeres?
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What was an important finding after the death of members of Sapolsky's baboon troop?
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Why were the dominant males more susceptible to disease?
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Study Notes
Physiological Stress Response
- Activates predator/prey mechanisms: heart rate increases, blood pressure rises to supply muscles with energy.
- Non-essential functions, like growth and reproduction, are suppressed during stress response.
Chronic Stress and Disease
- Continuous non-physiological stress leads to chronic stress, which is detrimental to health over time.
Robert Sapolsky's Baboons Research
- Found a link between social hierarchy and stress: dominant males exhibit lower stress hormones.
- Lower-ranking individuals show increased stress hormones, higher heart rates, and elevated blood pressure, impacting their health.
Fight-or-Flight Response
- Triggers physiological changes: significant rise in heart rate and enhanced blood flow directed to skeletal muscles.
Glucocorticoids and Brain Health
- Chronic elevation results in atrophied brain cells, especially in the hippocampus.
- Dominant monkeys exhibit more brain activity and connectivity compared to subordinates.
- Short-term stress can enhance synapse strength, beneficial for memory consolidation.
Cardiovascular Health and Social Status
- Individuals under chronic stress have poorer cardiovascular health.
- Higher-ranking animals maintain healthier arteries, while lower-ranking individuals develop arterial plaques.
Stress and Memory
- Prolonged stress disrupts brain circuits critical for memory retention.
- Severe acute stress can result in memory loss or inability to recall known information during stressful situations, such as test anxiety.
Whitehall Study Findings
- Established a connection between stress, social hierarchy, and health, particularly concerning abdominal fat distribution.
- Subordinate monkeys tend to accumulate fat in the abdomen, which is more harmful than fat in other areas.
Dutch Hunger Winter Impact
- Infants exposed to famine during fetal life show long-term health consequences, increasing vulnerability to cardiovascular diseases.
- Maternal stress may alter the fetus's nervous system, affecting health in later life.
Stress Hormones and Telomeres
- Chronic stress can accelerate the shortening of telomeres, which is linked to cellular aging.
- For instance, caring for a sick child for one year can equate to six years of biological aging.
Baboon Troop Response to Tragedy
- Post-tragedy, aggressive individuals without social connections perished, demonstrating the importance of social bonds for survival.
- The troop shifted to a more harmonious structure with dominant males absent, leading to a transformation in social dynamics.
Dominance and Disease Susceptibility
- Dominant males displayed weaker immune responses despite lower stress hormone levels.
- Higher testosterone levels among dominant males may contribute to immune suppression, leading to increased disease susceptibility.
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Description
This quiz explores the physiological stress response, its impact on health, and findings from Robert Sapolsky's research on baboons. It covers chronic stress, the fight-or-flight response, and the effects of glucocorticoids on brain health and function. Test your knowledge on how social hierarchy and stress interact in primates.
