Week 9 Vocabulary

Question 1

Hypothalamus

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Pituitary gland

Answer 2

An endocrine (hormone-secreting) gland at the base of the brain that secretes many hormones involved in homeostasis.

Question 3

Hormones

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Oxytocin

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Prolactin

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Affect

Answer 6

When used as a noun, refers to emotion, feelings, and mood

Question 7

Gigantism

Answer 7

Caused by overproduction of growth hormone in childhood, resulting in excessive growth and height

Question 8

Acromegaly

Answer 8

Caused by overproduction of growth hormone in adulthood, that can lead to many complications

Question 9

Post-partum

Answer 9

Period of approximately six weeks immediately after birth, during which the mother’s body returns to a “non-pregnant” state.

Question 10

Thermoregulation

Answer 10

Active processes to maintain a relatively stable temperature

Question 11

Vasomotion

Answer 11

Autonomic process that changes the tone in blood vessels and affects blood flow, especially to the periphery, including skin. Often used in thermoregulation.

Question 12

Heat production

Answer 12

Processes that produce heat include metabolism and skeletal muscle activity

Question 13

Heat conservation

Answer 13

Processes that conserve (retain) heat include autonomic processes (vasomotion) and posture (huddling)

Question 14

Heat loss

Answer 14

Processes that transfer heat from the body into the environment, reducing body temperature. There are autonomic and volitional processes, including splaying, sweating, and panting.

Question 15

Set point

Answer 15

Refers to a quantity, such as blood pressure, body temperature, or blood sugar, that the tries to maintain through homeostatic mechanisms.

Question 16

Hypothermia

Answer 16

State of having a lower body temperature than can sustain normal, healthy bodily functions, including metabolism and brain function

Question 17

Hyperthermia

Answer 17

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).

Question 18

Thermoneutral zone

Answer 18

Range of body temperatures in which homeostasis is maintained, and does not require additional mechanisms (sweating, etc) to be comfortable

Question 19

Eupnea

Answer 19

Normal, rhythmic, comfortable breathing at rest.

Question 20

Micturition

Answer 20

A medical term for urination

Question 21

Quiescent

Answer 21

Sleepy

Question 22

Slow-wave sleep

Answer 22

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).

Question 23

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Atonia

Answer 24

Loss of muscle strength (tone). During REM sleep, atonia occurs to prevent movement

Question 25

Circadian rhythm

Answer 25

A daily cycle, usually 24-hours, that drives wakefulness

Question 26

Sleep pressure

Answer 26

The drive to fall asleep. Conflicts with circadian rhythm.

Question 27

Diurnal

Answer 27

Active during daylight, as opposed to nocturnal animals, active at night

Question 28

Insomnia

Answer 28

Inability to fall asleep and stay asleep