Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain - Chapter 16: Motivation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on motivation, focusing on neuroscience, homeostasis, hormonal regulation, and eating behavior.

Motivation

The driving force that initiates and directs behavior; stronger motivation increases the likelihood of behavior.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body.

Hypothalamus

Brain region regulating body temperature, fluid balance, and energy balance.

Humoral response

Neuronal response involving the release of pituitary hormones based on sensory input.

Visceromotor response

Adjustments to balance sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

Somatic motor response

Actual motor responses involving skeletal muscles based on sensory input.

Prandial state

The state of the body after eating, characterized by anabolism.

Catabolism

The breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Leptin

A hormone produced by fat cells that regulates energy balance and decreases appetite.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)

A peptide that promotes feeding behavior and is overproduced in leptin-deficient states.

Agouti-related protein (AGRP)

A neuropeptide that stimulates appetite and is associated with increased obesity.

Dopaminergic neurons

Neurons that release dopamine, involved in the reward system and motivation.

Ghrelin

A hormone released by the stomach that stimulates appetite.

Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART)

A neuropeptide that reduces food intake and has other functions in the central nervous system.

Orexins

Neurotransmitters that promote arousal and food-seeking behavior.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels and is crucial for energy metabolism.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone that stimulates digestion and inhibits eating when fatty foods are consumed.

Energy homeostasis

The biological process whereby energy intake is matched to energy expenditure.

Obesity

A condition characterized by excessive anabolism relative to catabolism, resulting in increased body fat.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by an individual maintaining an unhealthily low body weight due to extreme dieting.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by purging or other compensatory behaviors.

Temperature Regulation

The process by which the body maintains its temperature through various physiological mechanisms.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition characterized by excessive urination and thirst due to loss of vasopressin secretion.

Volumetric thirst

The drive to drink resulting from a decrease in blood volume.

Osmometric thirst

The drive to drink resulting from increased blood osmolarity.

Satiety

The feeling of fullness that inhibits further eating.