NEUR200 Exam Sex + eating behavior

Homeostasis

Maintaining a regular temperature in the body

Alleostasis

The brain is predicting that something will happen and avoids error rather than correcting errors, depends on the hypothalamus

Sex hormones

Male and female start with the same anatomy during early prenatal stage

The SRY gene produces androgens (testosterone)

Females produce more estrogens

Organizing effects (permanent)

In the first trimester, sex hormones (mainly testosterone) determines whether the body develops male or female

Organizing effects: Childhood behavior

Prenatal hormones alter the brain that influence differences between boys and girls activities and interests

Genetic and prenatal influences on sexual orientation

Sexual orientation may depend on testosterone levels during a sensitive period of brain development

Stress can decrease testosterone

A gene on the X chromosome received from the mother could be linked to sexual orientation

Activating effects (temporary)

Testosterone increases sensitivity in penis

Oxytocin important for reproductive behavior, released during orgasm