hypothalamus Flashcards
what is homeostasis
balanced functioning of physiological processes and maintenance of an organism’s internal environment within a narrow range
what is the hypothalamus and what does it do
- specialized sensory neurons measure the regulated parameter and deviations from optimal range are detected
- coordinates the necessary compensatory mechanims
what are the 3 things that the hypothalamus controls
- autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
- endocrine system (anterior and posterior pituitary gland)
- motivated homeostatic behaviors (feeding, drinking) (connections with forebrain, limbic system, brainstem and spinal cord)
what are the 3 divisions of the hypothalamic nuclei from medial to lateral
- periventricular area
- medial hypothalamic area
- lateral hypothalamic area
what are the 4 regions of the medial hypothalamic area from rostral to caudal
- preoptic area
- anterior (supraoptic) region
- middle (tuberal) region
- posterior (mammillary) region
magnocellular neurosecretory cells located in the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus do what?
secrete two hormones into a capillary bed in the posterior pituitary
what are the two hormones that the magnocellular neurosecretory cells secrete
- oxytocin
- vasopressin
what does oxytocin do
- uterine contractions
- milk letdown reflex
- love hormon e
what does vasopressin do
- ADH
- regulated blood volume
- salt concentration
what do parocellular neurosecretory cells do and where are they located
- paraventricular nucleus
- secrete releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones into the hypothalamic-pituitary portal circulation
biological stress is created by the brain in response to real or imagined stimuli and this leads to:
the release of cortisol during “stress response”
what does cortisol do
- released glucose into your bloodstream
- increases blood pressure for increased physical activity such as running
- stimulates brain for more intense awareness
- immune system activity is reduced to save energy for physical activity
what are the 5 steps of the HPA axis
- stress (physiological stess or anxiety)
- parvocellular neurosecretory neurons
- anterior pituitary releases ACTH
- ACTH acts on adrenal cortex
- cortisol inhibits CRH release
what are the two NT of the sympathetic and parasympathetic system
preganglionic and postganglionic
sympathetic
- pre - ACh
- post - NE
parasympathetic
- pre -ACh
- post - ACh
what is anabolism
when blood is filled with nutrients
what are the two forms that energy is stored in
- glycogen in liver and skeletal muscle
- triglycerides in adipose tissue
what is catabolism
- during fasting; between meals
- stored glycogen and triglycerides are broken down to provide body with a continuous supply of molecules for fuel
what does the ob gene code for
a protein called leptin which is released by adipocytes
what is leptin
a hormone that communicates with the brain about fat reserves
elevated leptin levels in blood activates:
hypothalamus and decreases feeding behavior
decreased leptin leptin levels in blood activates:
hypothalamus and increases feeding behavior