Chapter One Flashcards
The Endocrine System
produces, circulates, and regulates levels of hormones
Gonadotropin
releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons- specialized neurons that are activities by certain pubertal hormones
Glands
organs that stimulate particular parts of the body respond in specific ways to particular hormones
Hormones
substances that are secreted by one or more endocrine glands that enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
Set Point
a physiological level or setting that the body attempts to maintain through a self-regulating system
Feedback Loop (HPG)
a cycle through which two or more bodily functions respond to and regulate each other, such as that formed by the hypothalamus the pituitary glands, and the gonads
Pituitary Gland
One of the chief glands responsible for regulating levels of hormones in the body
Hypothalamus
a part of the brain that controls the functioning of the pituitary gland
Gonads
glands that secret sec hormones: in males, the testes; in females, of ovaries
Testes
male gonads
Ovaries
female gonads
Androgens
a class of sec hormones secreted by the gonads, found in both sex, but in higher levels among females than males following puberty
HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) Axis
the neurophysical pathway that creates a feedback loop involving the hypothalamus, the pituitary glands, and the gonads
Adrenarche
the maturation of the adrenal glands that takes place during adolescence
Before puberty, the pituitary produces hormones acting the thyroid and the adrenal gland and hormones that make us taller or heavier
Cortisol
a hormone produced when a person is exposed to stress
Kisspeptin
a brain chemical believed to trigger the onset of puberty
Leptin
a protein produced by the fat cells that may play a role in the onset of puberty through its impact on kisspeptin
Melatonin
a hormone secreted by the brain that contributes to sleepiness and that trigger the onset of puberty through its impact of kisspeptin
Adolescent Growth Spurt
the dramatic increase in height and weight that occurs during puberty
Peak Height Velocity
the point at which the adolescent is growing most rapidly
Epiphysis
the closing of the end of the bone, which terminates growth after the adolescent growth spurt has been completed
Pheromones
a class of chemicals secreted by animals that stimulate certain behaviors in other remembers of the species
Secular trend
the tendency, over the past two centuries, for individuals to be larger in stature and to reach puberty earlier, primarily because of the improvements in health and nutrition
Delayed Phase Preference
a pattern of sleep characterized by ;ater sleep and wake times which usually emerges during puberty
Melatonin Rise
we are sleepier as melatonin decreases- we feel awake as melatonin increases
Body Mass Index
a measure of an individual’s body fat, the ratio of weight to a height; used to gauge overweight and obesity
Disordered Eating
mild, moderate, or severe disturbance in eating habits and attitudes
Anorexia Nervosa
an eating disorder found chiefly among young women, characterized by dramatic and severe self-induced weight loss
Bulimia
an eating disorder found primarily among young women, characterized by a pattern of binge eating and extreme weight-loss measures, including self-induced vomiting
Binge Eating Disorder
an eating disorder characterized by a pattern of binge eating that is not accompanied by drastic attempts to lose weight
