Video Lecture Notes – Neuroendocrinology, Sensory Systems, and Vision/Hearing (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes across neuroendocrinology, appetite regulation, and sensory/vision/hearing topics.

Ghrelin

Hunger-stimulating hormone produced by the stomach; signals energy deficit and increases appetite.

Leptin

Adipose-derived hormone signaling energy stores; generally inhibits hunger by acting on arcuate nucleus.

NPY (Neuropeptide Y)

Orexigenic neuropeptide in the arcuate nucleus; promotes feeding when active.

Insulin

Pancreatic hormone promoting glucose uptake and glycogen storage; in the brain it can reduce feeding via arousal/satiety circuits.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Gut hormone that signals satiety and slows gastric distension to help stop the meal.

Arcuate nucleus

Hypothalamic region with orexigenic NPY/AGRP and anorexigenic POMC neurons; integrates hormonal signals related to feeding.

Paraventricular nucleus (PVN)

Hypothalamic nucleus involved in satiety signaling and autonomic regulation; influenced by arcuate inputs.

Lateral hypothalamus

Brain region promoting feeding; lesions reduce intake, stimulation can trigger feeding.

Allostasis

Regulation through adaptive changes and anticipatory adjustments; can lead to allostatic load when stressed.

Negative feedback

Regulatory mechanism where a system reduces the initiating stimulus to maintain stability.

Angiotensin II

Hormone causing vasoconstriction and thirst; part of fluid balance and blood pressure regulation.

Orexin

Hypothalamic neuropeptide from the lateral hypothalamus; promotes wakefulness and feeding.

Pacinian corpuscle

Large, rapidly adapting mechanoreceptor detecting deep pressure and high-frequency vibration.

Meissner’s corpuscle

Rapidly adapting receptor in glabrous skin that detects light touch.

Ruffini endings

Slowly adapting receptors that sense skin stretch and shape.

Merkel’s discs

Slowly adapting receptors for high-acuity touch with small receptive fields.

Golgi tendon organ

Proprioceptive receptor in tendons that senses muscle tension.

Substance P

Pain-related neuropeptide released in the spinal cord to convey pain signals.

C fibers

Unmyelinated nociceptors that carry dull, slow pain.

Fovea

Retinal region with high cone density and greatest visual acuity.

Rods

Photoreceptors specialized for low-light vision; high sensitivity, low acuity.

Cones

Photoreceptors for color and high-acuity vision in bright light.

Photopigment

Light-sensitive molecule (opsin bound to retinal) that initiates phototransduction.

Opsin

Protein component of photopigment determining wavelength sensitivity.

Retinal

Vitamin A derivative that changes shape when exposed to light; part of photopigment.

Blind spot

Part of the retina where the optic nerve exits; no photoreceptors present.

Pupil

The adjustable opening in the iris that regulates how much light enters the eye.

Hue

Perceived color corresponding to the dominant wavelength of light.

Striate cortex (V1)

Primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe; named for the stripe-like appearance.

Blob regions

V1 regions involved in color processing; receive input from the parvocellular pathway.

Parahippocampal Place Area (PPA)

Ventral visual stream region specialized for scene/place recognition.

Fusiform Face Area (FFA)

Inferior temporal region specialized for face processing.

MT/MST

Dorsal stream areas (middle temporal and medial superior temporal) specialized for motion processing.

Retinotopy

Topographic mapping from retina to cortex; nearby retina points map to nearby cortical areas.

Dorsal stream

Visual pathway ('where/how') involved in motion and spatial relations and guiding actions.

Blindsight

Residual vision after primary visual cortex damage, mediated by subcortical pathways like the superior colliculus.

Superior colliculus

Midbrain structure implicated in rapid, reflexive eye/head movements and blindsight pathways.

Tonotopy

Spatial arrangement of frequency processing along the auditory pathway and cochlea.

Broca’s area

Left inferior frontal region involved in speech production and language.

Wernicke’s area

Left superior temporal region involved in language comprehension.

Language lateralization in bilinguals

Early bilinguals tend to recruit the same Broca’s/Wernicke’s areas for both languages.

SRY gene

Sex-determining region Y gene on the Y chromosome; initiates male development.

Sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN-POA)

Hypothalamic nucleus larger in males; involved in sexual differentiation.

Müllerian ducts

Embryonic ducts that develop into female internal reproductive structures in the absence of MIH.

Wolffian ducts

Embryonic ducts that develop into male internal reproductive structures under testosterone.

Müllerian inhibiting hormone (MIH/AMH)

Testicular hormone causing regression of Müllerian ducts during male development.

Gonads

Ovaries or testes; primary sex organs producing hormones that guide development.

Organizing effects

Hormonal effects during development that shape the brain and body for later function.

Default female

Developmental default pathway for external genitalia in the absence of masculinizing hormones.

Aromatization

Conversion of testosterone to estradiol in the brain; important for some aspects of brain organization.

Estrogen

Group of female sex hormones (e.g., estradiol) involved in female development and many brain functions.

Androgens

Male sex hormones (e.g., testosterone) promoting male-typical development and functions.

Progesterone

Hormone preparing the uterus for pregnancy and supporting gestation.

Osmotic thirst

Thirst driven by elevated solute concentration in body fluids.

OVLT (Organum Vasculosum Lamina Terminalis)

Brain region detecting osmotic pressure; part of the thirst regulation circuit.

SFO (Subfornical Organ)

Circumventricular structure detecting circulating signals and contributing to thirst regulation.

Vasopressin (ADH)

Antidiuretic hormone released by the posterior pituitary; promotes water reabsorption in kidneys and can raise blood pressure.