Behavioral Endocrinology (Hormones & Behavior) Chapter 1

testosterone

lordosis

a sexual posture characterized by immobility with a species-typical posture that facilitates vaginal penetration by the penis of the male. In rodents this usually consists of an arching of the back by extending the hindlegs and a lateral deflection of the tail

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

the chemical repository of genetic information

nucleotides

one of the several chemicals that make up DNA and RNA

transcription

the creation of a specific string of RNA encoded by a gene

ribonucleic acid (RNA)

the chemical messenger, similar in structure to DNA, which is itself transcribed from DNA; it serves as the template for the translation of genetic directions into a specific string of amino acids to form a protein or peptide

translation

the creation of a specific protein encoded by RNA

hormones

a chemical released from cells that travels to and affects other cells

neurotransmitters

a chemical released by a neuron to relay information to other cells, usually other neurons

neurohormones

chemical released by a neuron into general circulation or into the hypothalamic-pituitary-portal system

vesicles

a small, spherical-shaped structure for transporting protein(s)

exocytosis

a process by which internal vesicles fuse with the external membrane of a cell, and then open to release chemicals outside the cell or into the intercellular space

dendrites

branchlike extensions of a neuron that receive information, usually from many cells

presynaptic terminal

the portion of the axon usually characterized by the concentration of synaptic vesicles containing neurotransmitter(s) which are released by exocytosis in response to the arrival of an action potential

resting potential

the electrical charge across a cell membrane

synaptic transmission

the passage of information between two cells across a synapse

antagonists

a substance that binds to receptors and thereby blocks natural hormones and neurotransmitters from acting at the receptor

agonists

a synthetic chemical mimic that binds to receptors and causes a biological response that is indistinguishable from the response normally elicited by a neurotransmitter or hormone

pituitary

an endocrine gland found beneath the brain and controlled by the hypothalamus

hypophysis

the pituitary

releasing factor

one of many chemicals released by the hypothalamus into the hypothalamic-pituitary portal system that increase or decrease the release of specific hormones from the pituitary

adenohypophysis

the anterior pituitary

neurohypophysis

the posterior portion of the pituitary gland where axon terminals from neurons in the hypothalamus secrete oxytocin and vasopressin into the blood (also called posterior pituitary)

bioassay

an assay that uses a biological response to detect the presence and quantity of a substance in a sample

radioimmunoassay

a method of using antibodies and radiolabeled hormone to measure hormonal levels in a biological sample

antibody

a protein substance produced in the blood or tissues in response to a specific antigen