Hormones flashcards

Hormone

Chemical signals that regulate physiological processes and behavior.

Pituitary gland

A gland located beneath the hypothalamus that secretes hormones regulating other endocrine glands.

Cretinism

A condition of severe hypothyroidism in infants leading to mental retardation.

Oxytocin

A hormone associated with maternal behavior and bonding.

Vasopressin

Also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), it raises blood pressure and inhibits urine formation.

Neural communication

A fast communication system within the body, acting within milliseconds.

Hormonal communication

A slower, more diffuse communication system, operating over minutes, hours, or days.

Endocrine feedback loops

Regulatory mechanisms between endocrine glands to maintain homeostasis.

Tropic hormones

Hormones from the pituitary that stimulate other endocrine glands.

Thyroid hormone

A hormone that regulates metabolism and requires iodine for production.

Goiter

Swelling of the thyroid gland due to iodine deficiency.

Dopamine (DA)

A neurotransmitter that increases sexual activity when levels are elevated.

Serotonin (5HT)

A neurotransmitter that can impair sexual ability when increased.

SRY gene

Gene on the Y chromosome responsible for male sex determination.

Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone, influencing brain and body development.

Corpus callosum

A brain structure that connects the two hemispheres, larger in women.

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Brain region associated with decision making, larger in women.

Spatial ability

The capacity to visualize spatial relationships, often enhanced in males.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses in the brain.

Estrus

A phase in the reproductive cycle of female mammals when they are sexually receptive.

Cognitive skills

Mental capabilities involving reasoning, problem-solving, and learning.

Behavioral and cognitive differences

Distinct tendencies between genders, such as verbal vs. visual-spatial abilities.

Gender identity

A personal conception of oneself as male, female, both, or neither.

Gender preference

The inclination towards a particular gender in terms of relationships.

Endocrine pathology

Disorders related to hormone imbalances affecting mental health.

Autism

A neurodevelopmental disorder that may be linked to hormonal factors.

Pulsatile secretion

Hormone release that occurs in bursts rather than at a steady rate.

Circulating hormones

Hormones that travel through the bloodstream to reach target organs.

Social communication

The exchange of information in interpersonal settings, varying by gender.

Impulsivity

The tendency to act on a whim without considering consequences.

Manual transmission

A type of vehicle transmission that requires manual gear shifting.

Attention span

The length of time a person can focus on a task without becoming distracted.

Sexual arousal

Physiological and psychological states that lead to sexual activity.

Homeostatic need

A biological requirement that maintains internal stability in organisms.

Risky behavior

Actions that involve a degree of danger or unpleasant consequences.

Mental health

A person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Neural basis of sex

The brain structures and functions involved in sexual behavior.

Dichotomy

A classification that divides something into two mutually exclusive groups.

Brain hemispheres

The two halves of the brain, each associated with different functions.

Multi-tasking

The ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, often better in women.

Singular focus

The ability to concentrate on one task or thought, generally more prevalent in men.

Cognitive overlap

The shared abilities between genders despite distinct averages in skills.

Visual-spatial ability

The skill to understand and remember the spatial relationships among objects.

Risky shift

A phenomenon where people make riskier decisions in groups.

Diminished social skills

Reduced competence in interpersonal interactions, often more common in males.

Organic hormone influences

Biological factors that affect hormone levels and resultant behaviors.

Maternal behavior

Conduct that supports the care and upbringing of offspring.

Memory center

Brain regions responsible for encoding, storing, and retrieving information.

Communication styles

The manner in which individuals express thoughts and feelings, shaped by gender.

Behavioral traits

Ingrained characteristics that influence how individuals act or respond.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

Self-regulation

The capacity to manage one’s emotions and behaviors in different situations.