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PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY “Stress: Portrait of a Killer” Movie Assignment (150 POINTS) NAME:
DUE:
During the movie you will take notes that will allow you to answer the questions below later on. Your eventual responses to these questions need to be typed (12 point font, Times New Roman, 1.5 spacing) and written using complete sentences. THE MORE EXPLANATION/DETAIL/EXAMPLES YOU PROVIDE, THE HIGHER YOUR SCORE WILL BE. You may not submit your notes. You may not submit an incomplete assignment. All 5 questions must be answered. The space provided below is for you to take notes, not for you to write your responses. (1) What was the original purpose for the stress response? (10 points)
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(2) Stress has many effects on human and nonhuman primate physiology. In the film, many studies are discussed on a variety of species, including baboons, macaques, rats, and humans. Discuss/explain as many of the effects of stress on primate physiology as possible. You should definitely discuss and explain the following: • effect on hormone levels (adrenaline/epinephrine and glucocorticoids);
• effects on the heart, arteries, and cardiovascular system;
• effects on the brain (brain cells, hippocampus (memory and learning), the neurotransmitter dopamine);
• effect on the immune system (pay particular attention to the discussion of ulcers here);
• effect on the distribution of weight/fat. (50 points)
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(1) Robert Sapolsky, studies baboons in Kenya, East Africa. He thought he could learn more about human stress and disease by looking at nonhuman primates. Using baboon blood, he measured the hormone levels that are related to stress: adrenaline/epinephrine and glucocorticoids (the 2 backbones of the stress response). What link did he discover between social hierarchy and stress levels in baboons? (10 points)
(2) Explain how stress effects our DNA. Be sure to talk about telomeres and their importance, and the effect of stress on them. Also, be sure to talk about the enzyme that helps to maintain the structure of the telomeres and what activities can promote the production of this enzyme. (10 points)
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(3) In one of Robert Saploskyʼs baboon study groups, there was an incident where they ate food left over from tourists and, in turn, contracted tuberculosis. Since the high ranking males were the ones to eat most of the food, they were the ones that died off. The baboon group was left with many females and several low ranking males (“nice guys”). How did this change the culture of the baboon troop? Do you think that human society can change to be like this group if we understand more about stress and its effects on our society? Can we survive without stress? (20 points)
