Module 3 – Case
STRESS AND THE IMMUNE
RESPONSE
Assignment Overview
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STOP!!! BE SURE YOU HAVE READ THE CONTENT ON THE HOME PAGE
AND ALL LINKS THERE! You will need this information to continue with this
assignment.
Now that you know about the immune response, re-read the
article The Mind-Body Interaction in Disease (from the case study in Module 2)
in more detail and focus specifically on the section related to the immune
system. Using this as a starting point, complete the requirements below using
paragraph format to address each topic:
Case Assignment
Introduction
Note that the inflammatory response is mentioned in the
article. Infections from pathogens can also lead to inflammation. The hallmark
of the innate immune response is inflammation. Inflammation is any activity
that causes tissue damage such as getting a cut in your skin or stubbing a toe.
The adaptive immune response is more specific. The body is able to “learn” how
to respond to invaders during the adaptive response and reactive rapidly once
it encounters the same invader twice. Try the following tutorial on immune
defenses from the University of Arizona to gain a better understanding of how
these two types of immunities defend out body.
Inflammation has four key characteristics: heat, redness,
pain, and swelling. The release of damaged cellular contents into the site of
injury is enough to stimulate the response. The inflammatory reaction brings in
phagocytic cells (like macrophages) to the damaged area to clear away cellular
debris and prepare the site for repair. See the image below which summarizes
the inflammatory response:
Ketchum, H. & Bright, E. Barrier Defenses and the Innate
Immune Response by OpenStax. Accessed on August 9, 2016 at
https://cnx.org/contents/Q5uuq7jF@2/OU-Human-Physiology-Barrier-De
Paragraph 1: PTSD and the Complement System
Now compare the findings mentioned in the Mind-Body
Interaction in Disease article by Sternberg and Gold to the findings in this
study on Stress and Anxiety. Address the following questions:
How did these articles discuss the role of B and T cells in
the immune response to stress?
What did each article (“The Physiology of Stress” from
Module 2 mentioned above and the “Stress and Anxiety” link) find about the
relationship between stress and inflammation?
Paragraph 2: Inflammatory
Response and the Brain
Finally, read The Consequences of the Inflamed Brain and
draw connections between the inflammatory response and brain function and
behavior. How are the central nervous system and the immune system
interconnected? How does the inflammatory response affect mood and behavior?
Which component of the nervous system reacts to an
infection? What are the implications for mood and behavior if the inflammatory
response is prolonged? What types of things might cause the inflammatory
response to become prolonged or exaggerated?
Paragraph 3: Conclusions
To complete this assignment, discuss the overall influence
of stress on the immune system and mental functioning (including potential
links to depression).
Assignment Expectations
You are provided with many scholarly references to complete
this assignment. Complete your assignment addressing the paragraph questions
above in essay format. Include a References section in APA format that lists
these and any additional sources you used. Use the paragraph headings above as
subtitles for each section you address in your paper. For any additional
research you are required to do to complete your assignment, please use
scholarly references such as a peer-reviewed journal article or a
government-sponsored or university-sponsored website. As you read through your
sources, take notes from them and then write your paper in your own words,
describing what you have learned from your research. Direct quotes should be
limited and must be designated by quotation marks. Paraphrased ideas must give
credit to the original author, for example (Murray, 2014). Direct copying from
“homework help” websites will not receive credit.
