Hormones & Sex Flashcards
What are developmental hormones?
Hormones that influence the development of anatomical, physiological, and behavioral characteristics that differentiate the sexes
What are activational hormones?
Hormones that trigger reproduction-related behavior in mature individuals (puberty)
What are exocrine glands?
Release chemicals into ducts which carry them to their target
What are endocrine glands?
ductless, release hormones directly into the circulatory system
What are the three classes of hormones?
- Amino acid derivatives
- Peptides and proteins
- Steroids
What are the sex steroids?
- Androgens (testosterone)
- Estrogens (estradiol)
- Progestins (progesterone)
What gender differences are observed in cyclic versus steady gonadal hormone levels?
- Female hormones go through a 28 day cycle
- Male hormone levels are constant
What brain structure controls cyclic or steady hormone levels?
Hypothalamus
How does the hypothalamus regulate the anterior pituitary?
Portal system carries hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary
How does the hypothalamus regulate the posterior pituitary?
neural input from the hypothalamus
What is the model of Gonadal Endocrine Regulation?
Brain signals hypothalamus –> Hypothalamus releases hormones to anterior pituitary –> Anterior pituitary releases gonadotropin –> gonads release sex steroids to body tissues
What hormone likely masculinizes the brain?
Estradiol
What is the evidence for the theories of environmental influences on sexual orientation?
No definitive evidence for environmental factors
To what extent is homosexual behavior observed in other species?
Same sex behaviors have been observed in nearly 1500 species, and well documented in about 500
What is the relationship between sexual orientation and genes?
limited evidence for a particular gene related to homosexualtiy
