2007-07-06 05:45:44 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Crying is a more complicated process than one would at first imagine. First of all, there are really three different types of tears. Basal tears keep our eyes lubricated constantly. Reflex tears are produced when our eyes get irritated, like with onions or when something gets into our eyes. The third kind of tear is produced when the body reacts emotionally to something. Each type of tear contains different amounts of chemical proteins and hormones. Scientists have discovered that the emotional tears contain higher levels of manganese and the hormone prolactin, and this contributes in a reduction of both of these in the body; thus helping to keep depression away. Many people have found that crying actually calms them after being upset, and this is in part due to the chemicals and hormones that are released in the tears.
When emotions affect us, the nervous system stimulates the cranial nerve in the brain and this sends signals to the neurotransmitters to the tear glands. Thus, we cry. The largest tear gland, the lacrimal gland produces the tears of emotion and reflex. Many believe that the body, in times of emotional stress, depends on this gland to release excess amounts of chemicals and hormones, returning it to a stable state.
It's just all too . . . too . . . much. Waaaaaaaahhhhh. Snort snurfle sniffle. Sigh.
2007-07-06 05:57:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The short answer would be that we evolved as social organisms. Social interactions are thus extremely important to us, for engendering cooperation, trust, and diffusing intra-group tensions. We have a huge variety of in-built social cues - smiles, frowns, flirtatious glances from the corner of the eyes - that are universally recognized (even in remote tribes) and thus probably evolved. Crying is surely the same - it's an evolved way to express sadness. Expressing sadness is probably useful in many situations for avoiding aggression, and thus it's useful for us to have developed a way to express sadness that can be trusted (that is, you can't fake crying easily). If I can be convinced that you're REALLY sad about something (sleeping with my wife, say) and that you won't do it again, I might be less likely to kill you over it.
2007-07-06 13:01:23 · answer #2 · answered by astazangasta 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think crying is the result of excess stress hormones. These excess hormones or chemicals or whatever they are get excreted in the tears. So crying does actually make you feel better by relieving some of the stress.
2007-07-06 12:54:40 · answer #3 · answered by Wendy E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Sadness hurts.
2007-07-06 12:51:08 · answer #4 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm not sure why we cry. some scientist believe it's muscle contractions, others believe it's a tactic that we've held on to since infancy. i'm not sure, but i know it's emotional release of some form.
2007-07-06 12:54:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you cry tears come from your tear ducts which is the two little humps in the corner of your eye close to tour noes bone.
2007-07-06 12:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by cinammon l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋