Chemical Coordination and Animal Behavior

A series of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the endocrine system and animal behavior.

Endocrine system

A system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various functions in the body.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by glands that are carried in the blood to target cells.

Pituitary gland

Also known as the hypophysis; referred to as the master gland because it regulates other glands.

Thyroid

A gland that produces thyroxine, which regulates metabolism and is crucial for growth.

Adrenal cortex

Part of the adrenal gland that produces various steroid hormones.

Epinephrine

Also known as adrenaline; a hormone released in response to stress, part of the 'fight or flight' response.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels.

Androgens

Hormones produced by the testes that are responsible for male sexual characteristics.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the ovaries that is involved in the menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy.

Estrous cycle

The reproductive cycle in non-human mammals, where females are only sexually receptive at certain times.

Ethology

The study of animal behavior, focusing on both genetic and learned behaviors.

Fixed action pattern

An instinctive behavioral sequence that is significantly invariant and usually conducted to completion once initiated.

Learned behavior

Behaviors that can be modified based on experience.

Insight learning

A form of problem solving where an organism learns to solve a problem by suddenly understanding the relationships between different parts of the problem.

Social behavior

Behavior that involves interaction with others, often influenced by communication.

Sexual selection

A natural selection process where individuals select mates based on specific traits.

Hermaphroditism

A reproductive strategy where an organism has both male and female reproductive organs.

Parthenogenesis

A form of asexual reproduction where an egg develops into an individual without fertilization.

Asexual reproduction

The process of forming new individuals without the transfer of gametes.

Fertilization

The process of combining two haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote.

Delayed fertilization

A reproductive strategy where mating occurs before fertilization, which is delayed.

Lactation

The process of producing milk in mammals to feed their young.

Morphogenesis

The biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape.

Neurula

An early stage in embryonic development, characterized by the formation of the neural tube.

Ectoderm

The outermost layer of cells or tissue from which skin and nervous system develop.

Endoderm

The innermost layer of cells or tissue that forms the gut and associated organs.

Mesoderm

The middle layer of an embryo that develops into muscles, bones, and the circulatory system.

Cleavage

The series of rapid cell divisions that occur in the early development of the embryo.