Chapter 11 Reproductive Flashcards
Steroid hormones
Derived from cholesterol
Contain four carbon rings
Bind to membrane receptors
Activate proteins
Bind to chromosomes and activate or inactivate genes
Two types of sex hormones?
Androgens
Estrogens
Androgens
Testosterone
Male hormones because have higher levels than women
Estrogens
Include estradiol
Female hormones
Progesterone
Hormone that prepares the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized ovum and promotes the maintenance of pregnancy
Organizing effects
Determine whether the brain and body will develop male or female characteristics
Occur at sensitive stages of development
Wolffian ducts
Precursors to other male reproductive organs
Mullerian ducts
Precursors to the females oviducts, uterus, and upper vagina
Sexually dimorphic nucleus
Larger in male and contributes to control of male sexual behavior
If the ovum is fertilized the levels of estradiol and progesterone increase gradually throughout pregnancy
T or f
True
Periovulatory period
The time of maximum fertility and high estrogen levels when ovulation occurs
Oxytocin
Stimulates contraction of the uterus during birth
Stimulates mammary gland to release milk
Facilitates formation of bonds between mating partners and mother and infant
Released during orgasm causing a state of complete relaxation
Two mechanisms mammals have for stimulating maternal behavior?
Hormones in the early phase compensate for the lack of familiarity with the young
Later experience maintains the maternal behaviors as hormones decline
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia CAH
An overdevelopment of the adrenal glands from birth
Most common cause of intersex condition
SRY gene
Causes the primitive gonads to develop into testes
