Week 9 Vocabulary Flashcards
Hypothalamus
Small structure in the brain that is involved in many functions, including homeostasis. It links the nervous system to the endocrine (hormonal) system by communicating with the pituitary gland.
Pituitary gland
An endocrine (hormone-secreting) gland at the base of the brain that secretes many hormones involved in homeostasis.
Hormones
Biological chemicals that are used as signals between organs and throughout the body. The usually have widespread effects, and do not affect just a single function or organ.
Oxytocin
A hormone unique to mammals that is involved in birth, affects uterus, and is elevated for months after birth. It has widespread effects, including roles in intimacy and social behavior.
Prolactin
A hormone that released in response to many events, including suckling, ovulation, and mating. A key effect is to induce milk let-down, but also has a role in metabolism and other functions.
Affect
When used as a noun, refers to emotion, feelings, and mood
Gigantism
Caused by overproduction of growth hormone in childhood, resulting in excessive growth and height
Acromegaly
Caused by overproduction of growth hormone in adulthood, that can lead to many complications
Post-partum
Period of approximately six weeks immediately after birth, during which the mother’s body returns to a “non-pregnant” state.
Thermoregulation
Active processes to maintain a relatively stable temperature
Vasomotion
Autonomic process that changes the tone in blood vessels and affects blood flow, especially to the periphery, including skin. Often used in thermoregulation.
Heat production
Processes that produce heat include metabolism and skeletal muscle activity
Heat conservation
Processes that conserve (retain) heat include autonomic processes (vasomotion) and posture (huddling)
Heat loss
Processes that transfer heat from the body into the environment, reducing body temperature. There are autonomic and volitional processes, including splaying, sweating, and panting.
Set point
Refers to a quantity, such as blood pressure, body temperature, or blood sugar, that the tries to maintain through homeostatic mechanisms.
Hypothermia
State of having a lower body temperature than can sustain normal, healthy bodily functions, including metabolism and brain function
Hyperthermia
State of having a higher body temperature because the body is producing or absorbing more heat than it is releasing. Different to fever, since the set point remains the same (in fever, set point is raised).
Thermoneutral zone
Range of body temperatures in which homeostasis is maintained, and does not require additional mechanisms (sweating, etc) to be comfortable
Eupnea
Normal, rhythmic, comfortable breathing at rest.
Micturition
A medical term for urination
Quiescent
Sleepy
Slow-wave sleep
Phase of deep sleep characterized by slow waves of activity across the cortex. These waves are seen in EEG recordings (electrical activity across the scalp that represents neural activity).
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
Phase of sleep characterized by rapid movement of the eyes. During REM sleep, the neocortex is highly active, showing similar patterns of activity to the awake state. Dreams are most often recalled after waking from REM sleep.
Atonia
Loss of muscle strength (tone). During REM sleep, atonia occurs to prevent movement
Circadian rhythm
A daily cycle, usually 24-hours, that drives wakefulness
Sleep pressure
The drive to fall asleep. Conflicts with circadian rhythm.
Diurnal
Active during daylight, as opposed to nocturnal animals, active at night
Insomnia
Inability to fall asleep and stay asleep
