Lecture 7: Hormones, Behaviour & Stress

Question 1

Define hormone

Answer 1

Any molecule that gains access to blood stream and travels far distance. Reaches widespread targets to produce behaviour. Release is governed by brain in response to sensory info. Once released, they loop back to brain to inform to stop secreting

Question 2

Two classes of hormones

Answer 2

Steroids or peptides

Question 3

Describe steroid hormones

Answer 3

Testosterone, cortisol, etc
Fat soluble and can cross cell membrane to talk dna to increase or decrease protein production. Produced in various endocrine glands

Question 4

Describe peptide function

Answer 4

Produced in the cell, examples are grehlon, insulin, endorphins. Influence cells to activate metabotropic receptors, can affect cell physiology

Question 5

List and describe three groups of hormone function

Answer 5

Homeostatic : internal metabolic balance
Gonadal: sexual behaviour, gender, regulate mentrual cycle
Glucocorticoid : secreted during stress, controls blood sugar

Question 6

What are homeostatic hormones?

Answer 6

Maintain body’s essential internal environment such as blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, etc

Question 7

What are gonadal hormones?

Answer 7

Sex hormones which prepare us for adulthood, give sexual appearance, allow for sexual behaviours

Question 8

What are glucocorticoids?

Answer 8

Regulate glucose, and the adrenal cortex.

Question 9

Define stress

Answer 9

Physiological and psychological response generated to perceived threat

Question 10

Describe fast stress response

Answer 10

1. Hypothalamus sends message to adrenal medulla via spinal cord
2. Adrenal medulla stimulate release of epinenphrine
3. Epinenphrine stimulates cells, endocrine glands, brain

Question 11

Describe slow response

Answer 11

1. Hypothalamus releases CRH to pituitary gland
2. Pituitary gland releases ACTH which goes to adrenal cortex
3. Adrenal cortex releases cortisol
4. Cortisol activates body’s cells, endocrine glands and brain

Question 12

What is a negative feedback loop?

Answer 12

When a hormone travels back up to the anterior pituitary via the blood stream, further activation is ceased.

Question 13

List some symptoms of chronic stress ( describe the maladaptive stress response)

Answer 13

• muscle wasting and fatigue because of continuous mobilization of energy
• little growth because growth hormone inhibition
• GI tract shut off
• reproductive functions inhibited
• immune system suppressed
• desensitization of negative feedback loop allows for continuation

Question 14

In what brain region does chronic stress and high cortisol demonstrate atrophy?

Answer 14

Hippocampus

Question 15

What are two major effects of synthetic steroid use?

Answer 15

Muscle building (anabolic)
Masculinizing (androgenic)

Question 16

List some risks of steroid use

Answer 16

Reduction of male fertility
Muscle bulk and aggression
Cardiovascular difficulties
Comprised liver kidney