sexual behaviours Flashcards
sex hormones are __________ hormones derived from _________ and produced in the _________ and other organs.
steroids; cholesterol; gonads
what are male and female gonads?
testes; ovaries
what are the 2 effects of sex hormones?
organisation
activation
what is the organisation effect of sex hormones? is it permanent or reversible?
exposure to hormones masculinises or feminises the brain during crucial developmental periods.
organising effect is permanent.
what is the activation effect of sex hormones? is it permanent or reversible?
exposure to hormones influences behavior and physiology later in life. It is impt to secual behavior beginning at puberty.
It is reversible.
when do organisation effects of sex hormones take place?
- btwn gestational (pregnancy) wks 6 and 24
- during mini-puberty - 1st 6 mths for boys, 1st 2 yrs for girls
- during puberty
examples of activation effects of sex hormones.
increased aggression
courtship
which part of the brain manages the release of sex hromones?
hypothalamus
hypothalamus manages release of sex hormones through secretion of what hormone?
GnRH
gonadotropin releasing hormone
the secretion of GnRH in the hypothalamus is modulated by what? and thus, fertility is timed according to what?
secretion of GnRH in the hypothalamus is modulated by melatonin (depends on light input)and thus, fertility is timed according to length of day
GnRH secreted in the __________ stimulates the release of 2 hormones, ____ and _________, by the _____________.
hypothalamus; luteinizing hormone (LH); follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); anterior pituitary gland
which of the hormones, LH or FSH,
(a) signal testes to release testosterone
(b) control menstrual cycle
(c) cause sperm to mature
(d) signal ovaries to release estrogen
(a) LH
(b) FSH and LH
(c) FSH and testosterone
(d) FSH
human females are slightly more sexually interested around ___________ period of the menstrual cycle.
which hormone is linked to female sexual desire?
ovulation (when ovaries release egg aka ovum)
estrogen
sexual frequency is closely correlated with testosterone levels. this is true for older or younger men?
older
young men’s testosterone levels are not strongly correlated with sexual frequency as long as it is ___________.
within normal limits
men in stable, long-term marriages have _____ testosterone levels than single, newly divorced men.
do men’s testosterone levels drop or rise after childbirth? what are the 2 reasons for this?
lower
drop
- low testosterone level more compatible with parenting and pair bonding
- protects male from detrimental effects of high testosterone on immune system