Brain & Behavior (4,5,6) Flashcards
(11 cards)
What are the core principles of endocrine secretion, signalling, and feedback mechanisms?
Endocrine systems use hormones to regulate physiology through secretion into the bloodstream, targeting distant organs. Feedback mechanisms, especially negative feedback, ensure homeostasis by adjusting hormone levels to prevent excess or deficiency.
Why is the pituitary gland considered the master regulator of physiology?
The pituitary gland regulates major bodily functions by releasing hormones that control other endocrine glands. The anterior pituitary manages stress, metabolism, growth, and reproduction, while the posterior pituitary releases oxytocin and vasopressin for social bonding and fluid balance.
Why is the pattern of hormone secretion important?
Hormones like LH and GH must be released in pulses to function properly. Continuous release can impair function, as seen in reproductive and growth processes. Pulsatility ensures accurate communication between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and target organs.
How do hormones influence behaviour beyond their classical roles?
Hormones impact mood, stress, aggression, and social behaviours. For example, testosterone affects singing in male birds and aggression in humans, while prolactin influences maternal care, showing that hormones can drive complex emotional and social behaviours.
How do the brain and hormones work together to regulate social behaviours?
The brain integrates hormone signals like oxytocin to modulate social behaviours such as bonding, trust, and caregiving. This regulation is dynamic—social cues can influence hormone release, and hormones can reinforce social actions.
What biological mechanisms support maternal care in animals?
Hormones like prolactin and oxytocin prepare mothers for caregiving. Oxytocin triggers maternal instincts in response to infant cues like ultrasonic cries, while prolactin primes maternal behaviour during early pregnancy, even affecting future generations.
What is the mechanistic basis of affection and how is it regulated by the hypothalamus?
Affection is regulated by neurohormones like oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released in the brain to enhance bonding. Oxytocin release is triggered by cues like touch or vocalisations and reinforces maternal and social behaviours.
Why are emotion and mental processes important in medical sciences?
Emotions influence decision-making, mental health, and behaviour. Understanding them helps in treating conditions like depression or anxiety and informs how we design medical interventions and interpret behavioural responses.
What scientific evidence supports the existence of emotion, cognition, and play in animals?
Studies on rats show they engage in hide-and-seek, exhibit joy, respond to social cues, and learn complex behaviours—suggesting cognitive depth and emotional range comparable to humans, reshaping how animals are viewed in science.
How does understanding animal experiences help us comprehend human emotions and cognition?
Animal studies reveal parallels in emotional processing, decision-making, and social learning. These insights improve our understanding of human psychology and help create better models for neurological and psychiatric research.
What are the ethical implications of recognizing sentience and emotion in animals?
Acknowledging animal sentience demands more ethical research practices—ensuring welfare, minimizing harm, and enhancing environments. It also reshapes how humans interact with animals, promoting compassion and responsibility in science and society.
