Exam 3 Flashcards
Zygote
A fertilized egg
46 diploid chromosomes, 23 haploid from each parent
0-5/6 days
Gamete
Sex cells/egg or sperm cells
The only haploid cells in the body are gamete cells
Sex of fetus is determined by…
The arrangement of sex hormones (XX or XY)
Asexual reproduction
Does not involve the fusion of gametes
Produce genetically identical offspring
Evolve slowly and adapt poorly
Sexual reproduction
Produce offspring with reconstituted genome (re-assortment of chromosomes)
Survival advantage because they evolve quicker and adapt better, and harmful recessive mutations are masked by a normal gene
New genomes produced by crossing over of genetic material
Law of independent assortment
The allele a gamete receives for one gene does not influence the allele received for another gene
How do hormones produce functional sex organs?
Peptide–moves into brain and stimulates changes in order to modulate sexual feedback and genitalia
Steroid–allows for movement in and out of BBB (communication between body and CNS restricted by hydrophobic BBB
Hypothalamus
Control of hormone secretion
Anterior pituitary
Stimulated by hypothalamus
Hormone secretion by the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads
Growth
Posterior pituitary
Stimulated by hypothalamus
Water and salt balance
Endocrinology
The study of hormones
Neuroendocrine interactions
Endocrine system glands secrete chemicals/hormones into the bloodstream, travel to target tissues, produce long-lasting responses over time, influence metabolism and development, pass through BBB
Nervous system cells travel to target tissues via electrical current, produce fast responses, influence acute changes in body systems
Neuroendocrine cells
Neurons that communicate with hormones in conjunction with neurochemicals
Hormone chemicals
Produced and released from differentiated cell types to affect other cells in the body and brain
Interactions occur through blood circulation to target
Endocrine system cells release hormones that travel long distances through the bloodstream
Depending on chemical composition effects are fast (adrenaline) or slow (steroids)
HPG axis
Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
Regulates reproductive activity and the release of ovarian hormones in animals and humans
Menstrual cycle
Menstrual phase (1-5) –> pre-ovulatory phase (1-14) –> ovulation (14th day) –> post-ovulatory phase (14 days after)
Follicular phase –> ovulation –> luteal phase
Hormone regulation in the HPG axis in females
Hypothalamus sends GnRH to anterior pituitary –> anterior pituitary produces FSH and LH –> FSH and LH rise and help to mature the primary and secondary follicles (which happens over menstruation) –> once follicles are mature, they release estrogen which goes back to the hypothalamus and tells it to stop producing FSH and LH (acting as a negative feedback inhibitor)
Hormone regulation in the HPG axis in males
Hypothalamus sends GnRH to anterior pituitary –> anterior pituitary produces LH and FSH –> LH and FSH act on the testes to produce testosterone –> testosterone goes back to the hypothalamus to inhibit GnRH
Cholesterol
Template for all steroid hormones
Can be used to create progesterone (female reproduction), estradiol (female reproduction), and testosterone (male reproduction)
Hormones released from the anterior pituitary gland
GnRH, TRH, PRH, GHRH, CRH, SRIH
Act on the pituitary gland
GnRH
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Releases LH and FSH (depending on frequency of stimulation); targets the reproductive system
Stimulates production of sex hormones by gonads (LH) and the production of sperm and eggs (FSH)
TRH
Thyroid-releasing hormone
Releases thyroid-stimulating hormone and stimulates prolactin secretion
Acts on thyroid gland
Regulates metabolism
PRH
Prolactin-releasing hormone
Releases prolactin
Acts on mammary glands
Promotes milk production
GHRH
Growth hormone-releasing hormone
Releases growth hormone; acts on liver, bone, and muscle
Induces targets to produce insulin-like growth factors that stimulate body growth and a higher metabolic rate
CRH
Corticotropin-releasing hormone
Releases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Acts on adrenal glands
Induces targets to produce glucocorticoids, which regulate metabolism and the stress response