Hormones Notes
Page 1: Hormonal Differences Between Female and Male Brains
The transcript humorously outlines the perceived differences between female and male brains.
Female Brain:
Includes components like wants vs. needs, impulse shopping, and communication patterns.
Described as having an "I Told You So" gland, which may suggest an inclination towards assertiveness in conversations.
Male Brain:
Contains areas focused on "crotch scanning" and sports, representing high levels of sexual drive and competitiveness.
Includes concepts like improvisation and avoidance of personal questions.
Each brain has dominating areas relevant to their functions, with humorous phrasing characterizing domestic skills and distractions.
Page 2: Case Study of C.V.
A brief case study of a 3-month-old boy named C.V.
Symptoms include severe constipation since birth, inability to hold up his head, and lack of smiling.
Noted with a small head and a recorded low body temperature at birth, indicating possible underlying health issues.
Diagnosis includes a hormone deficiency which may relate to his physical development and behavior.
Page 3: Hormonal Communication
Both hormones and neural signals serve as chemical messengers in the body.
Key Differences:
Hormones operate over greater distances (meters) and take longer to exhibit effects (minutes to days).
Neural communication is rapid (milliseconds) and precise over shorter distances (millimeters).
Hormones often display pulsatile secretion, releasing in bursts, and can be influenced by circadian rhythms.
Hormones are slower and NOT ALL OR NONE (neurons)
Page 4: Anatomy of the Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is significant enough to reside under the hypothalamus, highlighting its role in hormonal regulation.
Page 5: Endocrine Feedback Loops
Tropic hormones are secreted by the pituitary gland and influence other endocrine glands.
Releasing hormones from the hypothalamus are responsible for the regulation of this process.
Page 6: Posterior Pituitary Functions
The posterior pituitary releases:
Vasopressin (ADH): Functions to raise blood pressure and reduce urine formation, also linked to fear responses.
Oxytocin: Associated with maternal bonding and has potential links to autism.
Page 7: Hormonal Pathways
Steps of how hormones are synthesized and secreted:
Hypothalamic neurons synthesize releasing hormones.
These hormones enter local blood vessels.
Flow to the anterior pituitary, resulting in further hormone release.
Notable hormones include TSH/Thyroid Hormone (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and ACTH/Cortisol (adrenocorticotropic hormone).
Page 8: Impact of Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid deficiencies lead to conditions like cretinism, impeding cognitive development.
(Like C.V. Baby)
Iodine is needed in the diet to synthesize thyroid hormones and deficiency can lead to goiter, or swelling of the thyroid gland.
Page 9: Hormones and Behavioral Impact
Hormonal imbalances can mimic psychiatric disorders.
Example: Cushing's disease results from excess glucocorticoids(steroids), impacting mood and mental health.
Causes weight gain and flushed face
Survey findings in North Texas suggest significant illegal steroid use among high school students, impacting athleticism and health.
Page 10: Sex: Hormonal and Neural Influences
Discussion on the biological and neural bases of sexual behavior remains critical in understanding human experiences.
Page 11: Levels of Sex Determination
Overview of sex determination involves:
1. Chromosomes leading to 2. gonad development (testes vs. ovaries).
3. Internal and 4. external organs 5. brain plus 6. gender identity and 7. preference.
Complexity in gender discussions with notes on potential ranges of gender identities.
Page 12: Motivations for Sex
Reasons for engaging in sexual activity include:
Reproduction and DNA variation.
Pleasure derived from the act itself.
The sexual drive, while comparable to hunger and thirst, differs as it is not required for individual survival, although it is important for species continuity.
Page 13: Role of Estrogen in Sexual Behavior
Estrogen levels rise in females before ovulation, affecting sexual receptivity and possible behaviors.
Distinction between human sexual behavior and that of other species noted.
Page 14: Neurotransmitters and Sexual Activity
Dopamine(reward) is linked to increased sexual desire capability in both genders.
Serotonin (5HT) can hinder sexual functioning, particularly under SSRIs/antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
Shakespeare's quote highlights the dichotomy of desire versus performance capacity impacted by substances like alcohol.
Page 15: Genetic Basis of Sex Determination
Determination of gonadal sex is influenced by the SRY gene located on the Y chromosome, leading to testicular development, while its absence results in ovarian formation.
Page 16: Testosterone's Organizational Role
Testosterone acts as a primary organizing hormone affecting the development of brains and bodies, with lasting effects established early in life.
Activation effects can occur at any time but may fluctuate/reversible with hormone levels. Effects can be stable.
Page 17: Sex Differences in Brain Development
MRI studies suggest significant differences in brain structure based on sex:
Women show a larger corpus callosum, correlating with their cognitive skills.
Males demonstrate greater asymmetry in brain structure, notably in cerebral development.
Page 18: Neuronal Variances in Sex
Women demonstrate a greater number of neurons in specific brain areas associated with cognition and expression:
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: Involved in complex decision-making.
Superior temporal gyrus: Important for communication.
Page 19: Connectivity Patterns in Male and Female Brenas
Research indicates distinct connectivity patterns between male and female brains:
Males tend to connect front-to-back, favoring concentration.
Females exhibit more left-to-right connectivity, facilitating multitasking.
Page 20: Behavioral and Cognitive Differences
Gender-based cognitive differences noted:
Girls generally outperform boys in verbal tasks, while boys excel in visual-spatial abilities.
Aggressive behaviors and mathematical proficiency also display variances.
Emphasis on overlap showcasing similarities between genders together with behavioral expectations.
Page 21: Estrogen's Impact on Spatial Abilities
Elevated estrogen levels are correlated with diminished spatial skills, while testosterone has been found to enhance spatial abilities in certain contexts.
Page 22: Testosterone's Influence on Cognitive Function
Spatial abilities improve in girls exposed to higher testosterone levels, while low testosterone in males impairs spatial capabilities.
Female-to-male transgenders taking testosterone show improvements in spatial skills but experience declines in verbal fluency.
Page 23: "Brain Boxes" Concept
Utilizing metaphorical representations by Mark Gungor to describe male and female cognition characteristics and interactive patterns.
Page 24: Gender Continuum
Gender is conceptualized not merely as a binary system (girl vs. boy) but rather a continuum with varying identities and expressions.
Page 25: Conversational Styles of Boys and Girls
Distinct differences in communication styles are observed:
Girls often have more detailed conversations, exhibiting nurturing behaviors and shared confessions.
Boys tend to favor minimal conversations, focusing on activities and often embracing playful teasing as a connection method.
Page 26: Emotional Processing in Genders
Cognitive differences extend to emotional processing, with girls utilizing a more complex cortex for processing feelings, while boys show a simpler limbic system.
Engaging in risky behaviors is often associated with increased status among boys, while emotional expressions are viewed differently between genders.