Pheromones Flashcards
how are pheromones similar to hormones
secreted by glands
In what ways are phermones different from hormones
they are not released into the bloodstream,
Function of pheromone
serving as a communication between the individuals of the same species
What are some evidence of pheromones in human
chemicals in tears, breast milk and sweat acts as if they were pheromones
One reason why human pheromones are thought no to exist
humans lack the organ that mammals use to detect pheromones
What is the organ used to detect pheromones
vomeronsal sensory organ ( VNO)
How does the vomeronasal sensory organ ( VNO) help trigger a response to pheromone ( step by steP)
it is a collection of neurons deep in the nose that transmits signals via the accessory olfactory bulb to the hypothalamus in the brain.
what is the effect of pheromones/ ultimate point that I am trying to prove with the research
Pheromones are released into the environment by an animal affecting the behaviour or physiology of others of its own species
What are the two types of pheromones
Primer pheromones
signaling pheromones
What does primer pheromones do
cause slow, long-term physiological changes, such as hormonal effects
What is the caveat of conclusions/ existence of signalling pheromones
although there are published research that support signalling pheromones, there is an equal number of studies showing that there are no effects
( SOME STUDIES STILL SHOWS THAT THERE IS NO IMPACT)
What does signaling pheromones do - for eg?
able to produce rapid behavioural effects, such as mating
An example of pheromone observed in humans
Human mammary pheromone
What is the human mammary pheromone
This pheromone refers to the unique chemical signature of breast odour and mother’s milk, or a combination, which guides unconditional responsibleness of the baby to the mother and to nutritious food ( aka baby knows that there is milk = food )
What research to use
Docet et al (2009)
procedure
esearchers administered the different secretions to the infants nasally
Aim of docet et al
investigate the role of secretion of the areolar glands in the suckling behaviour in 2-day-old infants
What was measured
and then measured their behavior and breathing rate.
What did they do the information
compared the infant’s reaction to seven different stimuli secretion of areloar glands
7 stimuli they are exposed to
: secretions of areolar glands, human milk, cow milk, formula milk, and vanilla
Findings (behaviour)
They found that the infants began sucking only when exposed to the secretions of the areolar glands.
Finding (breathing)
breathing rate increases
What did researches suggest: ( hint: attachment to the mother
The researchers argue that this stimulus of the areolar odor may initiate a chain of behavioral and physiological events that lead to the progressive establishment of attachment between the mother and the infant
Conclusion
Pheromones are chemical substances produced and released into the environment by an animal affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its own species.
In context of the study
began sucking only when exposed to the secretions of the areolar glands, which shows that they could smell the chemical secretions – did not do this for the other stimuli
Conclusion unique to pheromones
more research is necessary to definitely draw these conclusions
