Hormones and behavior

Question 1

5α-reductase

Answer 1

An enzyme required to convert testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone.

Question 2

Aggression

Answer 2

A form of social interaction that includes threat, attack, and fighting.

Question 3

Aromatase

Answer 3

An enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens.

Question 4

Chromosomal sex

Answer 4

The sex of an individual as determined by the sex chromosomes (typically XX or XY) received at the time of fertilization.

Question 5

Defeminization

Answer 5

The removal of the potential for female traits

Question 6

Demasculinization

Answer 6

The removal of the potential for male traits.

Question 7

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Answer 7

A primary androgen that is an androgenic steroid product of testosterone and binds strongly to androgen receptors.

Question 8

Endocrine gland

Answer 8

A ductless gland from which hormones are released into the blood system in response to specific biological signals.

Question 9

Estrogen

Answer 9

Any of the C18 class of steroid hormones, so named because of the estrus-generating properties in females. Biologically important estrogens include estradiol and estriol.

Question 10

Feminization

Answer 10

The induction of female traits.

Question 11

Gonadal sex

Answer 11

The sex of an individual as determined by the possession of either ovaries or testes. Females have ovaries, whereas males have testes.

Question 12

Hormone

Answer 12

An organic chemical messenger released from endocrine cells that travels through the blood to interact with target cells at some distance to cause a biological response.

Question 13

Masculinization

Answer 13

The induction of male traits.

Question 14

Maternal behavior

Answer 14

Parental behavior performed by the mother or other female.

Question 15

Neurotransmitter

Answer 15

A chemical messenger that travels between neurons to provide communication. Some neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, can leak into the blood system and act as hormones.

Question 16

Oxytocin

Answer 16

A peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland to trigger lactation, as well as social bonding.

Question 17

Parental behavior

Answer 17

Behaviors performed in relation to one’s offspring that contributes directly to the survival of those offspring

Question 18

Paternal behavior

Answer 18

Parental behavior performed by the father or other male.

Question 19

Progesterone

Answer 19

A primary progestin that is involved in pregnancy and mating behaviors.

Question 20

Progestin

Answer 20

A class of C21 steroid hormones named for their progestational (pregnancy-supporting) effects. Progesterone is a common progestin.

Question 21

Prohormone

Answer 21

A molecule that can act as a hormone itself or be converted into another hormone with different properties. For example, testosterone can serve as a hormone or as a prohormone for either dihydrotestosterone or estradiol.

Question 22

Prolactin

Answer 22

A protein hormone that is highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom. It has many biological functions associated with reproduction and synergistic actions with steroid hormones.

Question 23

Receptor

Answer 23

A chemical structure on the cell surface or inside of a cell that has an affinity for a specific chemical configuration of a hormone, neurotransmitter, or other compound.

Question 24

Sex determination

Answer 24

The point at which an individual begins to develop as either a male or a female. In animals that have sex chromosomes, this occurs at fertilization. Females are XX and males are XY. All eggs bear X chromosomes, whereas sperm can either bear X or Y chromosomes. Thus, it is the males that determine the sex of the offspring.

Question 25

Sex differentiation

Answer 25

The process by which individuals develop the characteristics associated with being male or female. Differential exposure to gonadal steroids during early development causes sexual differentiation of several structures including the brain.

Question 26

Target cell

Answer 26

A cell that has receptors for a specific chemical messenger (hormone or neurotransmitter).

Question 27

Testosterone

Answer 27

The primary androgen secreted by the testes of most vertebrate animals, including men.