Hormones + Behaviour

Question 1

How do hormones influence behaviour?

Answer 1

Hormones influence behaviour but do not cause it. They coordinate physiology and behaviour by regulating, integrating, and controlling bodily functions over time.

Question 2

What are the effects of hormones on behaviour?

Answer 2

Hormonal effects can reflect individual differences in behaviour based on hormone concentrations and the number/location of hormone receptors.

Question 3

What mechanism do hormones use to exert their effects?

Answer 3

Hormones use a lock and key mechanism.

Question 4

What is an example of dual effects of hormones?

Answer 4

Luteinizing hormone (LH) causes gamete maturation and also stimulates mating behaviours in many species.

This ensures mating occurs only when animals have mature gametes available for fertilisation.

Question 5

What does LH stimulate in the reproductive system?

Answer 5

LH stimulates gonads to produce gametes and testosterone.

Question 6

What hormones are involved in the reproductive system?

Answer 6

Key hormones include Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Testosterone, Estrogen, and Progesterone.

Question 7

What are the three systems where hormones act to influence behavior?

Answer 7

Input systems, Integrators, Output systems

Question 8

What is the role of the peripheral nervous system in hormone influence?

Answer 8

It receives sensory information.

Question 9

What is the role of the CNS in hormone influence?

Answer 9

It receives and sends information.

Question 10

What is the role of output systems in hormone influence?

Answer 10

They affect muscles and other effectors.

Question 11

How does testosterone influence singing in zebra finches?

Answer 11

It alters sensory capabilities, making environmental cues more salient.

Question 12

What changes does testosterone induce in the CNS related to singing?

Answer 12

It changes neuroarchitecture and speeds up neural processing in singing-related brain areas.

Question 13

How does testosterone affect the output in singing?

Answer 13

It can affect the muscles of the vocal organ.

Question 14

What should happen to a hormonally-dependent behavior when the hormone source is removed?

Answer 14

The behavior should disappear.

Question 15

What happens when the actions of a hormone are blocked by antagonists?

Answer 15

The hormonally-dependent behavior should also disappear.

Question 16

What should occur to restore a hormonally-dependent behavior?

Answer 16

Restoration of the hormone source should reinstate the absent behavior.

Question 17

What are biological rhythms?

Answer 17

They regulate variations in behavior that oscillate regularly over time.

Question 18

What is an example of a biological rhythm?

Answer 18

Circadian rhythms (‘around a day’)

Question 19

What are the three types of circadian rhythms based on activity times?

Answer 19

Nocturnal (night), Diurnal (day), Crepuscular (dawn + dusk)

Question 20

What are biological clocks?

Answer 20

Internal systems/processes that maintain biological rhythms.

Question 21

What is a zeitgeber?

Answer 21

An external cue that sets biological rhythms.

Question 22

What is the key zeitgeber for most animals?

Answer 22

Light.

Question 23

What does light do for mammalian circadian rhythms?

Answer 23

It entrains them to a 24-hour cycle.

Question 24

What is melatonin?

Answer 24

Melatonin is a sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland.

It receives light input from the retina, controlling its production and secretion.

Question 25

When are melatonin levels high?

Answer 25

Melatonin levels are high at night.

Question 26

When are melatonin levels low?

Answer 26

Melatonin levels are low during the day.

Question 27

What is the strongest bond in mammals?

Answer 27

The strongest bond in mammals is arguably between mother and infant.

Question 28

What is maternal investment in mammals?

Answer 28

Maternal investment includes internal fertilization, fetal development, and post-natal care.

Question 29

What is the role of hormones in maternal care?

Answer 29

Hormones control the onset, maintenance, and termination of maternal care.

Question 30

How do hormonal profiles during pregnancy compare across mammals?

Answer 30

Hormonal profiles during pregnancy are very similar across mammals.

Question 31

What behaviors are linked to hormonal changes during pregnancy?

Answer 31

Hormonal changes are linked to behaviors such as nesting.

Question 32

What role do pregnancy hormones play in maternal behavior?

Answer 32

Pregnancy hormones stimulate oxytocin, which facilitates maternal care and olfactory recognition of offspring.

Question 33

What happens to maternal behavior in sheep and rats given OT antagonists?

Answer 33

Sheep and rat females given OT antagonists after birth do not exhibit typical maternal behavior.

Question 34

What effect does oxytocin have on maternal behavior in sheep?

Answer 34

Sheep show maternal behavior toward foreign lambs upon injection of oxytocin.

Question 35

What hormones are linked to bonding in breeding pairs?

Answer 35

Different hormones in male and female brains are linked to the tendency to form bonds.

Question 36

What is the role of oxytocin in females regarding bonding?

Answer 36

Oxytocin coordinates maternal behavior and physiology in females.

Question 37

How does oxytocin affect reward pathways in females?

Answer 37

Oxytocin receptors are activated in the reward pathways.

Question 38

What is the role of Vasopressin (AVP) in males?

Answer 38

Vasopressin (AVP) is important in male territorial scent marking, aggressive behavior, and social recognition.

Question 39

Where are Vasopressin receptors (VIaR) distributed in the male brain?

Answer 39

Vasopressin receptors (VIaR) are widely distributed in the brain, particularly in the reward pathway, playing a dominant role in male social behavior.

Question 40

What are the adaptive advantages of group living?

Answer 40

Group living has adaptive advantages that enhance survival.

Question 41

What are the costs associated with group living?

Answer 41

Costs include conspicuousness, competition for resources, and social conflict.