Final Exam

Question 1

Describe how your HPA axis responds to stressors and returns to baseline.

Question 2

Describe how your autonomic nervous system responds to stressors and returns to baseline.

Question 3

What are the key anatomical structures and signaling molecules (hormones) involved?

Question 4

Compare/contrast the roles of hormones in the onset and maintenance of parental behavior.

Question 5

It is clear that hormones play a role in maternal behavior- Do data suggest they are necessary, sufficient, both, or neither? Explain your reasoning.

Question 6

Discuss similarities and differences in the neuroendocrine control of primates compared to other mammals.

Question 7

What do chronobiologists mean when they say that circadian rhythms in behavior are endogenously generated? How do we know that they are not simply direct and immediate responses to environmental fluctuations across the day/night?

Question 8

What factors might influence the development of sex differences in circadian rhythms in humans? Are there studies from nonhuman animals that might help us understand?

Question 9

What evidence indicates that the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the principal pacemaker in mammals? Are there limitations that make you wary of the conclusion?

Question 10

Many people develop clinical depression every fall or winter and spontaneously improve in the spring (SAD). Several scientists have asserted that circadian systems may be involved in this condition. How would you go about evaluating this claim? (Think about where dysfunction could occur along the entire circadian system: the role of the environment, generation of rhythms, effect of hormones, etc)

Question 11

Presentation about GAHT

Question 12

Presentation about oral contraceptives

Question 13

Presentation about testosterone

Question 14

Presentation about E2

Question 15

Presentation about chronic stress

Answer 15

• When mice were subjected

Question 16

Presentation about menstrual cycle

Answer 16

• Sex hormones play a role in nicotine addiction
• Women who quit smoking during gluteal phase more successful at remaining abstinent than quitting during follicular phase
• Hormone Progesterone during luteal phase may reduce cravings and withdrawal symptims (progesterone during luteal, estrogen during follicular)
• Estrogen during follicular phase may enhance nicotine’s rewarding effects, increasing relapse risk

Question 17

Question about “centering gender minorities”

Answer 17

• Skeletal health implications in GAHT
• Relationship between hormones and social behavior are bidirectional (social experience alters hormones; hormones alter social behavior)
• Most research on cognitive effects of hormones is in nonhuman animals
• No FDA-approved Tments for GAHT
• Relationships among hormones and partner desire depend on gender

Question 18

Question abour “including both sexes”

Answer 18

• Although more studies are including members of both sexes, they aren’t designed well to examine sex differences
• Females AREN’T more variable (which was an assumption used to excuse their exclusion), yet they continue to be excluded
• Psychiatry papers focus more on humans than neuroscience papers do
• Including both sexes isn’t enough, need appropriate design & stat power and to prevent harmful outcomes (meds)

Question 19

Question about “the gendered ape essays”

Answer 19

• “Forced copulation” to describe what we call rape in humans
• Biology is more flexible than ppl assume “nature loves variety, even though society hates it”
• ^ The difference between humans and other animals isn’t the amount of gender diversity, but the reaction to it
• Primate males have great caring capacities
  Sexual violence isn’t seen in our closest relatives