Question
Question: What are the types of stimuli which can induce a stress response?...
What are the types of stimuli which can induce a stress response?
Solution
First of all we need to know what Stimulus is. A Stimulus is anything that provokes or causes an action or response. The plural form of stimulus is stimuli. And the verb form is Stimulate, which typically means to spur into action.
Complete answer:
The stimuli which can induce a stress response are as follows –
Chemical – decreased oxygen supply, acid-base imbalance
Physiological – pain, hemorrhagic shock, heavy exercise
Emotional or psychological – anxiety, sorrow, fear
Physical – surgery, trauma, intense cold or heat, restraining the person
Social – personal conflicts and changes in lifestyle
Any of these stimuli can lead to an immediate and marked increase in the ACTH from the anterior pituitary, hence causing a rise in the cortisol from the adrenal cortex.
Additional Information:
There are two types of stimuli.
Internal Stimuli – These are the changes to the conditions inside the body such as viruses in our body, poisonous food in our stomach or it could be the lack of food and water.
Example: Hunger and thrust are the examples of internal stimuli. These are the signs of lack of food and water in the body.
External Stimuli – These are the changes to the conditions outside the body. Such as external danger or pain. The ability of an organ or organism to detect external stimuli to build the protection against it is called Sensitivity.
Example: The light from a lamp functions as a detectable change in the plant's environment. As a result, the plant shows a reaction of phototropism, that is a directional growth toward the light stimulus
Note:
Vision is also a stimulus. It helps our brain to perceive and respond to the changes around our body through our eyes. Smell allows our body to identify the chemical molecules that are in the air through inhalation and respond according to that. Taste allows us to record the flavours of food and other things that pass through the tongue. Sound is also an external stimulus.