What is the main difference between the way younger people and older people respond to stress? a. younger people have a slower restorative process after a stressful episode. b. younger people have better coping strategies for dealing with stress. c. the process of aging increases the pituitary gland's response to stress, making it work harder. d. older people keep stress hormones in their system for longer periods?

The correct answer is d. older people keep stress hormones in their system longer.

The physiological response to stress in our body involves the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. Individuals of all ages release cortisol as a response to stress. However, in older individuals cortisol and other stress hormone levels remain for longer in their system compared to younger individuals. Due to this older individuals are more likely to be negatively affected by the effects of cortisol in stressful situations such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and blood sugar levels.