Define Concepts Flashcards
Thyroid gland
one of the main endocrine organs; needs iodine to secrete hormones; TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) controls the release of thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothryronine) involved in metabolism and cell vitality as well as calcitonin, which is involved in mobilizing calcium towards bones/teeth. The parathyroid glands are glands on the posterior surface of the thyroid.
Gonad
the testes and the ovaries; organs producing gametes; endocrine glands that govern reproduction and development/maintenance of secondary sex characteristics through production of gonadal hormones androgens, estrogens, and progestins
Melatonin
a hormone that impacts the circadian rhythm; synthesized from serotonin in the pineal gland; impacts seasonal changes in reproductive behavior in many species of animals; in humans and mammals it has sleep and circadian cycle effects
Neuromuscular junction
synapse between a neuron and a muscle cell; each motor unit has a neuron with one axon branching into several axon terminals which form neuromuscular junctions; the nerve impulse activating these fibers releases Ach, which activates receptors on the motor end plate of the muscle fiber, causing a contraction
Insulin
pancreatic hormone; secreted by beta cells to promote movement of glucose into hungry cells; diabetics do not have enough insulin to mobilize glucose to starving cells
Episodic memory
autobiographical memory; explicit memories involving context (information regarding when and under what conditions episode occurred, order of events) for the particular events (i.e., episodes) of one’s life; organized in a temporal or spatial context; specific to time and place, usually a single event
Posterior pituitary gland
stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus (oxytocin and ADH); composed of neuronal tissue
Releasing factor
hormone released hypothalamus to control the anterior pituitary gland secretions of GH, prolactin, ACTH, FSH, LH, and TSH via portal circulation
Parathyroid glands
found on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland (2 on each side); produces parathyroid hormone, which is involved in pulling calcium back from bones/teeth into blood
Essential amino acids
are building blocks to proteins that our body cannot make on its own (need them from food); 9 in adults and 10 in infants; vegetarian need to be careful and consume food with complete amino acids
Intravascular liquid enviroment
blood, used for understanding processes such as various forms of physiological hunger; additionally, used for homeostatic processes such as balancing levels of calcium through calcitonin and PTH
Motor unit
one motor neuron stimulating several muscle cells; each motor unit has a neuron with one axon branching into several axon terminals which form neuromuscular junctions
Hypertonic solution
salty side, with a higher concentration of solutes; water moves in due to osmotic pressure; following a meal, the intravascular compartment is highly salty (hypertonic) in comparison to the cellular cytoplasm
Osmosensory receptors
receptors in the brain in the OLVT area of the 3rd ventricle that measure levels of salt in the blood; if levels are high they stimulate the hypothalamus to elevate blood pressure, produce an antidiuretic response, and trigger thirst reactions and drinking
Baroreceptors
receptors in the large veins and heart that detect drop in blood pressure returning from heart and communicate this information to the hypothalamus; they result in inhibited drinking, reduction of blood pressure, and promotion of kidneys excretion of water and salts
Vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone)
ADH; hormone released by the posterior pituitary gland that stimulates water retention and reduces the amount of urine produced by kidneys; absence of ADH can result in body dehydration; can support social engagement; at the core of the male lust/sexual system; hypovolemic thirst triggers the hypothalamus to release vasopressin (acting on the kidneys to reduce water loss) and triggering thirst reactions
Peristalsis
propelling food; occurs in most of the alimentary canal—the pharynx, esophagus, stomach (chyme), duodenum/small intestine, and large intestine
Omnivore
human beings are omnivores, even vegetarians; an animal or person that eats both plants and animals
Glucagon
a pancreatic hormone (secreted by alpha cells) that converts glycogen back to glucose during times that blood insulin levels are low, raising blood glucose levels. Antagonistic to insulin.
Glycogen
unused glucose is converted to glycogen, a carbohydrate, and transferred for short-term storage in the liver when insulin levels are high; glucagon converts glycogen back into glucose when insulin is low (glycogen is the storage form of glucose)
Organizing effects
hormonal influence on sex differentiation that impacts the development of sex organs early in life until puberty ; includes Wolfian and Mullerian hormonal influences; influenced more by genes than the environment; usually irreversible
Activating effects
hormonal influence on sex differentiation that impacts sexual activity and behavior and secondary characteristics from puberty and on; begins with gonadal stimulation of puberty, which involves Leptin; influenced more environmentally; can be reversible
Satiety head factors
variables triggering desire to eat or feel satisfied which involve your head (e.g., taste, smell, vision)—factors involving your senses
Testis-determining factors
in early embryonic development (1st month of gestation); SRY gene (sex determining region on the Y chromosome) produces a protein (Testis determining factor) which triggers maculation of the gonads
Adrenal medulla
inside of the adrenal gland which releases epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to perceived stressors which potentiate and prolong sympathetic response; hypothalamus oversees the ANS by helping to stimulate the adrenal medulla via sympathetic intervention (sympathetic preganglionic axons)
Mullerian system
ducts that are the precursors of internal female sex organs in a fetus; has the capacity to develop into female ducts (e.g., the uterus, upper part of the vagina, and the fallopian tubes); continues if not exposed to testicular hormones during development
Wolffian system
ducts that are precursors of internal female sex organs in a fetus; has the capacity to develop into male reproductive ducts (e.g., seminal vesicles and the vas deferens); in developing males, this system is stimulated and the Mullerian system is inhibited
Locus coeruleus
part of the limbic system; a cluster of neurons in the brain stem mediated by norepinephrine; part of the amygdala-brainstem pathway; stimulated by the amygdala during fight-flight response; maintains systemic alertness with continuous norepinephrine infusion; hyperactivity of the LC is linked to fight-flight response under chronic traumatic exposure
Anterior pituitary gland
the larger pituitary gland that synthesizes its own hormones; controlled by the hypothalamus through releasing hormones (RH) and inhibiting hormones (IH) and made of epithelial cells; 6 hormones: GH, prolactin, ACTH, FSH, LH, and TSH
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
ACTH; stress response, secreted by the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the adrenal cortex release of cortisol (produce many components of stress response)
Parathyroid hormone
PTH; a hormone released by the parathyroid gland in response to low calcium levels in the blood; signals osteoclasts to degrade bone matrix and release calcium into the blood
Procedural memory
memory of performance; involved with skilled actions; some form of implicit memory; not necessarily conscious; controls behaviors without the need to memorize facts or experiences (e.g., driving); usually skilled a actions; the system of “how things work”; Basal Ganglia
Primacy effect in memory
effect of rote memory; tendency to have better recall for items from the beginning of a list
Rote memory
mechanical (tape recorder), no organization; improves throughout childhood then stable; primacy and recency are important; type of short-term memory; middle developmentally
Working memory
aka, frontal memory; initiates processing (through executive functioning) to organize information for retention purposes (e.g., clustering in CVLT); type of short-term memory; temporary memory that is necessary for the successful performance on tasks you’re currently working on; comes last developmentally
Template memory
similar to rote memory; it’s like echoing something (repeat after me); 4 year old’s can repeat long sentences without comprehension; type of short-term memory; comes first developmentally
Cardiac muscle
(myocardium) this muscle is found only in the heart; striated, but involuntary; muscle fibers are cushioned by small amounts of soft connective tissue; contract at a fairly regular and steady rate, controlled by pacemaker; can be stimulated to contract faster by nervous system
Motor pool
all the motor neurons innervating the fibers of a single muscle
Mesolimbic dopaminergic circuit
the reward and well-being system; part of the seeking/desire system (the innate explorer; mediates appetitive desire; addictive); goal-directed, contributor to learning, social bonds, seeking safety, etc.; needs to be recruited in psychotherapy
