Week 11 - Brain and Behaviour Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is neuro control/regulation?
Functional interactions between networks of neurons that regulate a behaviour/function.
Which brain regions control breathing?
Pons and medulla in the brainstem.
What region in the medulla controls basal breathing?
Dorsal respiratory group.
Which nerve innervates the diaphragm for basic breathing?
Phrenic nerve (C3, C4, C5).
Where is the hypothalamus located?
Below the thalamus at the base of the brain.
What is the primary function of the hypothalamus?
Homeostasis and hormone production.
What behaviours are organised by the hypothalamus?
Survival behaviours including eating and sexual behaviour.
What body functions does the hypothalamus regulate?
Emotion, biological clock, ANS, endocrine system via pituitary.
What connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus?
Pituitary stalk.
What are the two lobes of the pituitary gland?
Anterior and posterior.
Which pituitary gland is controlled indirectly by the hypothalamus?
Anterior pituitary via hormones.
Which pituitary gland is directly controlled?
Posterior pituitary via synaptic transmission.
What hormone does the hypothalamus release in the HPA axis?
CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).
What hormone does the anterior pituitary release in response to CRH?
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).
What does ACTH stimulate?
Adrenal cortex to release cortisol.
What are effects of prolonged cortisol exposure?
Altered stress responses, gene expression changes via epigenetics.
What spinal region is involved in sexual behaviour?
Lumbar region.
Which hypothalamic area is involved in male sexual behaviour?
Medial preoptic area.
Which area is involved in female sexual behaviour?
Ventromedial nucleus (VMH) of the hypothalamus.
What does the medial amygdala process?
Chemosensory info and somatosensory signals from genitals.
Which brain regions interact during sexual arousal?
Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, cingulate cortex, hypothalamus.
What roles does the hypothalamus play in eating?
Regulates hunger and satiety.
Which gland is called the ‘master gland’?
Anterior pituitary.
What hormone does the posterior pituitary release?
Produced in hypothalamus, released directly from posterior pituitary.
