Chapter 10 Flashcards
Sexually dimorphic behavior
A behavior that has different forms or that occurs with different probabilities or under different circumstances
Sex
The genetic or physiological characteristics of males and females
Gender
Refers to the socially influenced identity, roles, and/or behavior of an individual as they pertain to male and female identities
Intersex
A variety of combinations of biologically male and female characteristics such as an individual born with external female genitalia and internal male sex organs
Transgender
A gender identity that does not necessarily correspond to biological sex at birth
Gamete
A mature reproductive cell; a sperm or ovum
Genetic sex
Determined by the presence of XX or XY chromosomes
Sex chromosome
The X and Y chromosomes which determine an organism’s genetic sex. Typically XX individuals are female and XY individuals are male
Gonad
An ovary or testis
SRY
The gene on the Y chromosome whose product instructs the undifferentiated fetal gonads to develop into testes; official name is sex determining region Y
Organizational effect (of hormone)
The effect of a hormone on tissue differentiation and development
Activational effect (of hormone)
The effect of a hormone that occurs in the fully developed organism; may depend on the organism’s prior exposure to the organizational effects of hormones
Mullerian system
The embryonic precursors of the female internal sex organs
Wolffian system
The embryonic precursors of the male internal organs
Anti-mullerian hormone
A peptide secreted by the fetal testes that inhibits the development of the mullerian system, which would otherwise become the female internal sex organs
Defeminizing effect
An effect of a hormone present early in development that reduces or prevents the later development of anatomical or behavioral characteristics typical of females
Androgen
A male sex steroid hormone. Testosterone is the principal mammalian androgen
Masculinizing effect
An effect of a hormone present early in development that promotes the later development of anatomical or behavioral characteristics typical of males
Testosterone
The principal androgen found in males
Dihydrotestosterone
A androgen, produced from testosterone through the action of the enzyme 5a reductase
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
A condition caused by congenital lack of functioning Androgen receptors; in a person with XY sex chromosomes cause the development of a female with testes but no internal sex organs
Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome
A condition cause by a congenital lack of anti mullerian hormone or receptors fro this hormone; in a male, causes development of both male and female internal sex organs
Tuner syndrome
The presence of only one sex chromosome (an X chromosome); characterized by lack of ovaries but otherwise normal female sex organs
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
A hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete gonadotropic hormone
Gonadotropic hormone
A hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that has a stimulating effect of cells of the gonads
Follicle- stimulating hormone
The hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that causes development of an ovarian follicle and maturation of an ovum
Luteinizing hormone
A hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that causes ovulation and development of the ovarian follicle into a corpus luteum
Kisspeptin
A peptide produced by neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus under the control of lepton receptors; essential of initiation of puberty and maintenance of reproductive ability
Estradiol
The principal estrogen of many mammals, including humans
Estrogen
A class of sex hormones that cause maturation of female genitalia growth of breast tissue and development of other physical features characteristic of females
Menstrual cycle
The female reproductive cycle of most primates, including humans; characterized by growth of the lining of the uterus, ovulation, development of a corpus luteum, and menstruation
Estrous cycle
The female reproductive cycle of mammals other than primates
Ovarian follicle
A cluster of epithelial cells surrounding an oocyte, which develops into an ovum
Corpus luteum
A cluster of cells that develops from the ovarian follicle after ovulation; secretes estradiol and progesterone
Progesterone
A steroid hormone produced by the ovary that maintains the endometrial lining of the uterus during the later part of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy; along with estradiol it promotes receptivity in female mammals with estrous cycles
Refractory period
A period of time after a particular action during which that action cannot occur again
Oxytocin
A hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland; causes contraction of the the smooth muscle of the milk ducts, the uterus, and the male ejaculatory system; also serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain
Estrus
A period of sexual receptivity in many female mammals
Lordosis
A spinal sexual reflex seen in many four legged female mammals; arching of the back in response to approach of a male or to touching the flanks, which elevates the hindquarters
Pheromone
A chemical released by one animal that affects the behavior or physiology of another animal; usually smelled or tasted
Vomeronasal organ
A sensory organ that detects the presence of certain chemicals especially when a liquid is actively sniffed; mediates the effects of some pheromones
Accessory olfactory bulb
A neural structure located in the main olfactory bulb that receives information from the vomeronasal organ
Lee boot effect
The slowing and eventual cessation of estrous cycles in groups of female animals that are housed together; caused by a pheromone in the animals urine; first observed in mice
Whitten effect
The synchronization of the menstrual cycle or estrous cycles of a group of females, which occurs only in the presence of a pheromone in a male’s urine
Vandenbergh effect
The earlier onset of puberty seen in female animals that are housed with males; caused by a pheromone in the males urine; first observed in mice
Bruce effect
Termination of pregnancy caused by the odor of a pheromone in the urine of male other than the one that impregnated the female; first identified in mice
Medial preoptic area (MPA)
An area of cell bodies just rostral to the hypothalamus; plays an essential role in male sexual behavior
Sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN)
A nucleus in the preoptic area that is much larger in males than in females; first observed in rats; plays a role in male sexual behavior
Periaqueductal gray matter (PAG)
The region of the midbrain that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct; plays an essential role in various species typical behavior including female sexual behavior
Nucleus pragigantocellularis
A nucleus of the medulla that receives input from the medical preoptic area and contains neurons whose axons form synapses with motor neurons in the spinal cord that participate in sexual reflexes in males
Ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
A large nucleus of the hypothalamus located near the walls of the thirst ventricle; plays an essential role in female sexual behaviors
Heterosexual
Having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to members of the other sex
Gay/lesbian
Having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to members of one’s own sex
Bisexual
Having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to both men and women
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
A condition characterized by hyper secretion of androgens by the adrenal cortex; in females, causes masculinization of the external genitalia
Parturition
The act of giving birth
Prolactin
A hormone of the anterior pituitary gland necessary for production of milk; also facilitates maternal behavior
