In Hans Selye’s rat study, rats that were exposed to stressors over a long period of time showed signs of
adrenal dissipation, thymus and lymph node mortification, and constipation
adrenal enlargement, thymus and lymph node enlargement, and stomach ulceration
adrenal enlargement, thymus and lymph node shrinkage, and stomach ulceration
adrenal shinkage, thymus and lymph node enlargement, and stomach ulceration
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer to the effects observed in Hans Selye’s rat study on the impacts of chronic stress is: adrenal enlargement, thymus and lymph node shrinkage, and stomach ulceration.
Hans Selye’s groundbreaking work on stress, known as the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), explored the physiological response of organisms to stressors over extended periods. His research, which fundamentally used rats as subjects, demonstrated three distinct stages of response to chronic stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
- Alarm Stage: Initially, when a stressor is encountered, the body reacts with a “fight-or-flight” response, which is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. This response is designed to prepare the body to either escape or confront the danger.
- Resistance Stage: If the stressor continues, the body adapts by entering a stage of resistance. It is during this phase that the changes you asked about become evident. The adrenal glands, which are crucial for producing stress hormones such as cortisol, become enlarged due to increased demand for these hormones. This enlargement is a direct response to the sustained stress level, aimed at bolstering the body’s ability to cope with stress.
- Exhaustion Stage: Prolonged stress leads to exhaustion, where the body’s ability to resist is depleted. This stage is characterized by the physical wear and tear that results from extended production of stress hormones. The thymus and lymph nodes, integral components of the immune system, shrink. This shrinkage represents a suppression of the immune response, commonly observed in chronic stress scenarios. Additionally, the continued high levels of stress hormones can lead to the development of stomach ulcers, as these hormones can increase stomach acidity and reduce the ability to maintain the protective lining of the stomach.
Selye’s findings highlighted the dual role of stress hormones — essential in the short term but potentially harmful if the stress is prolonged. These physiological changes underscore the impact of chronic stress on body systems, illustrating the complex interplay between stress and health.
For the image request, let’s create a visual representation of these findings:
- Scene: A laboratory setting with a group of rats under observation.
- Details: Show one rat with visibly enlarged adrenal glands (perhaps through a semi-transparent view), another displaying signs of thymus and lymph node shrinkage, and another with indicators of stomach ulceration.
- Style: Scientific illustration, clear and educational.
I’ll generate this image now.
Here is the scientific illustration depicting the physiological changes in rats as per Hans Selye’s stress study findings. This image visually represents the enlarged adrenal glands, shrunken thymus and lymph nodes, and signs of stomach ulceration in the rats.
