week 2 Flashcards
name 6 functions of oxytocin
- social bonding: eg parent child, romantic, etc
- facilitation of childbirth
- support breastfeeding
- reducing cortisol
- associated with hostility to outgroups and affility to inside groups
- regulation of sexual behavior
What is the function of the hormone ACTH?
-
ACTH= adrenal (gland) cortico (cortex of the adrenal gland) trophic (feeding), hormone
–>hormone that feeds the cortex (outside) of the adrenalgland to create glucocorticoiden (especially cortisol)
In which three processes is cortisol involved?
it also sends a feedback signal to the brain to stop the production of ACTH.
what is the function of CR hormone in the context of stress
stimulates the production of ACTH
- what is the function of vasopressin (AVP) in the context of stress
- where is it produced?
- regulates the body’s retention of water and helps control blood pressure
- hypothalamus
brain -map.org. Fun website to find schematics of the brain.
Describe the role of the median eminence and Paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in cortisol production
- PVN
located in the hypothalamus.
initiating stress response
release CRH and AVP - median eminence:
receives CRH and AVP from PVN.
release CHR and AVP toanteriorpituitary gland
- via which two biological ways the production of cortisol is stopped?
- via which synthetic way?
see picture
describe the relationship between the amygdala and CHR.
amygdala-->CHR:
During a stress response, the amygdala stimulates the hypothalamus to release CRH
CHR-->amygdala
also the amygdala contains CRH receptors, and CRH can directly influence amygdala activity. CRH binding in the amygdala can enhance the brain’s response to stress and may contribute to anxiety-like behaviors.
name three brain regions that has cortisol receptors (there are more)
- hippocampus
- striatum
- amydala
How can CRH also acts a neurotransmitter
if the same signalling molocule go’s to the synaps instead of the blood. It acts as a neurotransmitter
what is the function of the GnR hormone? where is it produced?
GnRH Gonado (genitals) tropin (feeding)-releasing hormone (in in hypothalamus)
–>controles the release of LH and FSH (in pituitary). essential for the proper functioning of the gonads.
* it is note worthy that here are just about 1000 neurons that release this. which is not a lot.
what is the difference between glucocorticoid receptors and mineralocorticoid receptors in the brain.
glucocorticoid receptors
* are essential for mediating the body’s response to stress
* low affinity (low tendency to bind )
mineralocorticoid receptors
* high affinity (low cortisol needed to trigger)
how do Glucocorticoids affect responsiveness via gene targets?
the short explanation.
Glucocoticoids eventually influence the production of specific proteins. The proteins produced as a result of glucocorticoid action can affect various physiological processes, such as metabolism, immune responses, inflammation, stress responses, and brain functions like mood and memory.
what is cushing’s disease?
people with high cortisol levels without being stressed mostly caused by a tumor.
