Hormones and Pheromones

What are the primary functions of hormones in the body?

• Regulate medium and long-term behavioral changes.

• Act as chemical messengers for long-distance signaling.

• Travel via the circulatory system to target cells.

What is the role of the endocrine system?

• Network of glands responsible for synthesizing hormones.

• Regulates and releases hormones for various bodily functions.

How does hormonal communication differ from neurotransmitter communication?

• Hormonal communication travels in the bloodstream and regulates long-term processes.

• Neurotransmitter communication occurs along nerve cells and regulates rapid processes.

What are some examples of hormones and their functions?

• Adrenaline: Increases heart rate and energy in response to stress.

• Oxytocin: Involved in social bonding and reproduction.

• Testosterone: Regulates male reproductive functions and secondary sexual characteristics.

What are the three responses to stress as described in the content?

• Fight: Confronting and fighting the threat.

• Flight: Escaping or running away from danger.

• Freeze: Becoming still and silent in response to fear.

What are the key characteristics of flight or fight reactions?

• Initiated in the brain.

• Overall effect of arousing and energizing the body to deal with an immediate threat.

What defines freeze reactions in response to stress?

• A state in which the individual is unable to move or act.

• Often occurs when faced with overwhelming danger.

What are the effects of chronic stress on the body?

• Fight, flight, freeze reactions cannot be sustained over time.

• Leads to the activation of the HPA axis, which releases cortisol and energizes the body.

What is the SAM pathway and its significance?

• Sympathetic adreno-medullary pathway activates fight or flight reactions.

• Releases stress hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline for excitatory effects.

What is a pheromone?

• A pheromone is a chemical substance produced and released into the environment by an animal.

• It can affect the behavior or physiology of others of its species.

What are the two classes of pheromones and their functions?

• Releaser pheromones: produce short-term behavioral changes, acting as attractants or repellents.

• Primer pheromones: produce long-lasting changes in behavior or development.

What is Androstadienone and its significance?

• A derivative of testosterone and a chemical component of sweat.

• Thought to play a role in human attraction and social communication.

What is Estatenenol and its potential role in human behavior?

• Best known candidate for human sex pheromone.

• Thought to signal gender and affect mate perception, first found in the urine of pregnant women.