Final answer:
Allostatic load refers to the cumulative physical wear and tear on the body resulting from chronic stress, aligned with option 3 in the question. The correct option is (3).
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of allostatic load is the wear and tear on the body that accumulates as an individual is exposed to repeated or chronic stress.
This concept stems from a response-based conceptualization of stress, focusing primarily on the physical responses of the body while often neglecting psychological factors like the appraisal and interpretation of threats.
Allostatic load is best encapsulated in option 3: The body's wear and tear that accumulates after intense, repeated, and prolonged stress.
Understanding the general adaptation syndrome, introduced by Hans Selye, helps in comprehending how the body adapts and responds to stress. This includes three phases: alarm reaction, resistance, and exhaustion.
The alarm reaction triggers immediate physiological responses to a threat. If exposure to stress is prolonged, the body enters the resistance stage, where it adapts but still maintains a readiness to respond to stress.
Finally, the exhaustion stage results when the body depletes its resources due to prolonged stress, potentially leading to serious health issues.
Continuous stress can lead to various disorders, like hypertension and coronary artery disease, by sustaining physiological reactions such as high blood pressure or elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can weaken the immune system.