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Hello listeners! Today you will be going to learn about Biological Response. Biological response refers to how living organisms react to stimuli from their environment, which can include changes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organism levels. These responses can be physiological, such as changes in heart rate or hormone levels, or behavioural, like fleeing from danger.
In psychological terms, biological responses refer to the physiological reactions that occur in response to psychological stimuli. This can include changes in brain activity, hormone levels, heart rate, and other bodily functions triggered by psychological experiences such as stress, fear, or pleasure. Biological responses in psychology are often studied in the context of understanding how the brain and body interact to influence behaviour and mental processes. These responses can vary greatly among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as genetics, environment, and past experiences. It involves the body’s adaptive reactions to internal or external factors, influencing functions like heart rate, brain activity, immune response, and behaviour.
Physiological responses: These involve changes in bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and hormone levels.
Neurological responses: These pertain to changes in brain activity and neurotransmitter release, affecting cognitive processes, emotions, and
Immunological responses: This involves the body’s defence mechanisms against pathogens, including the production of antibodies and inflammation.
Endocrine responses: These involve the release of hormones by the endocrine system, influencing various bodily functions and processes.
Genetic responses: These refer to changes in gene expression or DNA structure in response to environmental stimuli or internal signals.
Behavioural responses: While primarily psychological, behavioural responses often have underlying biological mechanisms, such as fight-or-flight reactions to stress or instinctual.
During the stress response, the body undergoes a series of rapid physiological changes to cope with perceived threats. It starts with the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause the heart rate to increase and blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure and improving oxygen delivery to muscles and organs. Additionally, pupils dilate to enhance vision, while mental alertness heightens, thanks to cortisol. Non- essential functions like digestion and immune response are temporarily suppressed to conserve energy. Breathing rate increases to supply more oxygen to the bloodstream, and muscles tense up in readiness for action. This orchestrated response primes the body to confront or evade potential dangers, ensuring a swift and adaptive reaction to stressors.
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During the stress response, also known as the “fight or flight” response, several physiological changes occur in the body:
Physiological responses: These involve changes in bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, and hormone levels.
Neurological responses: These pertain to changes in brain activity and neurotransmitter release, affecting cognitive processes, emotions, and behaviour.
Immunological responses: This involves the body’s defence mechanisms against pathogens, including the production of antibodies and inflammation.
Genetic responses: These refer to changes in gene expression or DNA structure in response to environmental stimuli or internal signals.
Behavioural responses: While primarily psychological, behavioural responses often have underlying biological mechanisms, such as fight-or-flight reactions to stress or instinctual
Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline play crucial roles in the body’s stress response:
Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Adrenaline is released in response to stress or danger. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages, and mobilizes glucose in the bloodstream, preparing the body for immediate action.
Cortisol: Cortisol is often referred to as the “stress hormone” because it’s released in response to stress as well. It helps regulate blood sugar, metabolism, and immune function. In stressful situations, cortisol levels rise to provide a quick energy boost and suppress non-essential functions like digestion and reproductive processes temporarily. Together, adrenaline and cortisol orchestrate various physiological responses during the stress response, ensuring the body is primed for quick and effective action when faced with threats or challenges. Stress hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, norepinephrine, and DHEA orchestrate the body’s physiological responses to stress, preparing it for immediate action and adaptation. Certainly! While closely related to adrenaline, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) also plays a role in the stress response. Like adrenaline, it is released from the adrenal glands and sympathetic nerve endings. Norepinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure, enhances alertness and arousal, and helps regulate the body’s response to stress.
DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and plays a role in modulating the body’s response to stress. It has been associated with resilience to stress and may help counteract some of the negative effects of cortisol. These stress hormones work together to activate the body’s stress response system, facilitating the necessary physiological changes to cope with and adapt to stressors effectively.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in various functions in the brain and body. Its primary role is in the brain’s reward system, where it is involved in feelings of pleasure and reinforcement of rewarding behaviours. Dopamine also plays a role in regulating movement, motivation, and emotional responses. Additionally, it helps modulate attention, learning, and memory processes. Imbalances in dopamine levels have been associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and addiction. Overall, dopamine serves as a key player in shaping behaviour, cognition, and emotional responses.
Reward Processing: Dopamine is released in response to rewarding stimuli, reinforcing behaviors associated with pleasure and motivation.
Movement Regulation: Dopamine helps regulate voluntary movements by facilitating communication between neurons in the motor cortex and basal.
Emotional Regulation: Dopamine plays a role in regulating emotional responses, including feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and arousal.
Attention and Learning: Dopamine modulates attention and learning processes in the brain, facilitating the acquisition of new information and skills.
Memory Formation: Dopamine is involved in the formation and consolidation of memories, particularly those associated with rewarding.
Absolutely, dysregulation of stress hormones can significantly contribute to chronic stress-related health issues. When your body is under stress, it releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which help you respond to immediate challenges. However, if these hormone levels remain elevated due to ongoing stress, it can lead to a range of health problems. For example, consistently high cortisol levels can suppress the immune system, increase blood pressure, and contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. Furthermore, hormonal imbalance can affect mood, leading to anxiety and depression. Thus, managing stress and maintaining balanced hormone levels is crucial for long-term health and wellbeing.
Great news! The program has finally come to an end. The dear learners did a fantastic job and worked hard to biological response, including mindfulness intricate interactions at the molecular, cellular, and organism levels, including physiological, neurological, immunological, endocrine, genetic, and behavioural responses.
I hope, you will understand in detailed in this module about Biological Response.
