Hormones

what are hormones

class of chemicals that affect behavior

what are hormones secreted by

glands in endocrine system

where are hormones released

into the bloodstream meaning they take longer to take effect but last longer

what is a target cell

• certain cells that hormones can produce reactions in

• have an appropriate receptor site for the hormone

what does it mean when hormones act as neurotransmitters

they target receptor sites on the neuron’s synaptic gap

name 6 hormones

adrenaline, cortisol, melatonin, neuropeptide y, oxytocin, testosterone

overview of adrenaline

adrenaline

• secreted by adrenal glands

• responsible for

  • arousal

  • fight or flight

• role in emotional memory formation

overview of cortisol

• secreted by adrenal glands

• responsible for:

  • regulate metabolism

  • control blood sugar levels

  • reduce inflammation

• role in memory formation

overview of melatonin

• secreted by pineal gland

• responsible for:

  • signals relaxation for sleep

  • lowers body temp for sleep

overview of neuropeptide y

• produced by hypothalamus and acts as a neurotransmitter when in the brain

• what it does:

  • stimulates food intake

  • reduces anxiety and stress

  • reduced pain perception

  • affects circadian rhythm

• higher levels of npy seemingly linked to higher levels of resilience

overview of oxytocin

• produced by hypothalamus, secreted by pituitary gland, and acts as a neurotransmitter when in the brain

• responsible for:

  • role in mother-child attachment

  • believed to have a role in social bonding and trust between people

overview of testosterone

• produced by testes

• what it does

  • doesnt cause aggression, but more testosterone results in more aggression

what is a hormone cascade

hormones triggering more hormones

what are pheromones

chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal, affecting the behavior or physiology of others of its species

why are pheromones controversial

it is proven to play a signifcant role in signaling among animals, but it is unclear whether this is true among humans