Download Stress and Sex Objectives answers

BioBases Stress Objectives
1. Know the functions of each endocrine gland:
 pineal: involved in circadian rhythms
 pituitary: master control gland; located below hypothalamus
a. anterior (master gland) – produced and releases 6 hormones
i. FSH
ii. LH
iii. Prolactin
iv. ACTH – adrenocorticotropic hormone
v. Growth hormone
vi. TSH – thyroid stimulating hormone
b. posterior – releases 2 hormones produced by hypothalamus
i. Oxytocin – contractions, lactation
ii. ADH – anti-diuretic hormone (blood volume)
 Gonads: reproduction
 adrenal glands: on top of kidneys; stress reponse
a. Produce and release 3 major classes of hormones
i. Glucocorticoids, Cortisol
ii. androgens: male hormones (testosterone)
iii. E, NE: epinephrine, norepinephrine (aka – adrenaline)
 Thyroid: controls growth and metabolism
 Parathyroid: calcium regulation
 Thymus: immune system in children
 Pancreas: blood sugar levels
2. Know the subdivision of the nervous system that mediates the stress resonse.
 Sympathetic Nervous System
3. Know the brain areas and hormonal pathways involved in the stress reponse.
 FEAR  Amygdala (brain’s fear center) – projects directly to  PVN of Hypothalamus – secretes CRF
(corticotropin releasing factor)  anterior Pituitary – relases ACTH  Adrenal Glands (medulla) – release E,
NE, Cortisol.
 E: up heart rate, fuel supply
 NE: up blood pressure
 cortisol: up fuel supply
4. Know the short-term effects of cortisol and glucocorticoids on the body.
 Cortisol: increases availability of glucose, increase metabolism; helps break down proteins for increased energy
availability.
 Glucocorticoids: promote post-stress survival; inhibit immune system by interfering with cyotkines
5. Know some of the problems caused by chronic stress.
 Poorer health: increased hypertension, ulcers, diabetes, depressed immune system, brain degeneration.
 chronic hypertension, steroid diabetes, inhibition of growth, tissue damage, immune system suppression.
 Brain changes: decrease in size of amygdala and hippocampus… excess CA causes memory problems
o GABA receptor changes – lack of these inhibitory receptors increase anxiety
 Developmental effects: inhibits androgenization of baby (less masculine males); increases sensitivity to and
increased release of glucocorticoids
6. Know the symptoms of PTSD.
 develops right after exposure to severe trauma
 recurrent dreams, flashbacks (GABA problems – lack of inhibition)
 intense psychological distress
 Memory problems (associated with hippocampus)
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Feelings of fear, hopelessness, and detachment.
decreased interest in social activities
suppressed emotions
Psychological symptoms:
o hypervigilence: looking out for things to go wrong
o difficulty falling or staying asleep
o recall and learning problems
o irritability
o outburst of anger
o In Children: loss of toilet skills, somatic complaints
7. Know some of the functional or anatomic changes caused by chronic stress.
 Physical Changes:
o deterioration of hippocampus
o increased activity in right amygdala and anterior cingulate gyrus
o decreased orbitofrontal activation (Less inhibition to emotional areas)
o Immune System
 depression of system – increased susceptability to infection (b/c of glucocorticoids)
o deterioration of amygdala
o decrease in GABA receptors
Sex Objectives
1. Be familiar with the 8 hormones produced by the body.
1. FSH
2. LH
3. Oxytocin
4. Prolactin
5. Androgens
6. GH
2. Know the differences in sexual bx between animals and humans.
3. Know and understand the two major sexual development milestones at 6 weeks and 3 months, and the disorders
that can arise from them.
 Until 6 weeks, all fetuses have a common set of gonads and both sets of ducts.
 6 Weeks
o XYs (genetic males) produce H-Y antigen:
 gonads become testes
o XXs (genetic females) – no H-Y antigen:
 gonads become ovaries
o Injection to counteract genetics at this time will produce opposite sex.
 3 months
o Testes produce Mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) and androgens
o MIS: degeneration of Mullerian ducts (female tubes)
o Androgens: cause male organs to develop. IF NO ANDROGENS, cervis, uterus, and fallopian tubes
form.
 Pathologies:
o Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome:
 no androgen receptors. H-Y antigen still produced = testes
 testes still produced MIS = degeneration of mullerian tubes
 no male sex organs, no internal sex organs
o Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome: (46XY)
 no produce MIS or no produced receptors of MIS
 testes that do not descend; external genitals are male
 Mullerian tubes stay = fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus
4. Understand how sex is not a nominal variable.
5. Know what Turner’s and Klinefelter’s syndromes are and their causes.
 Turner’s Syndrome: (X0)
o ovaries are missing or incomplete, all other female organs are formed.
 Klinefelter’s Syndrome: (XXY)
o overly feminine males (e.g., have both penis and breasts), always sterile
6. Understand the hormonal causes of body changes at puberty.
 Anterior pituitary  Growth Hormone and Gonadotropins
o In males: release of androgens from testes
o In females: release of estrogen from ovaries.
7. Know the hormones involved in sexual behaviors and monthly cycles and what they control.
 Lust: testosterone (both sexes)
 Attraction: affects D, NE, and 5-HT areas (tolerance develops)
 Attachment: oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH)
o oxytocin: released during arousal, orgasm, and suckling
 Hypothalamus: stimulation produces sexual behaviors; sends GnRH to pituitary (controls release of FSH and LH)
 Males:
o sexual bxs activated by androgens
o loss of testes = loss of libido, impotence, feminization b/c of loss of testosterone
o GnRH regulated
 FSH controls sperm production
 LH controls testosterone production
 Females:
o loss of ovaries = infertility, amenorrhea, lack of lubrication
o sexual motivation related to androgens
o Cycle:
 Pineal gland signals hypothalamus  GnRH to pituitary
 pituitary  LH and FSH
 FSH – development of follicles = release estrogen = sexual receptivity, release of LH
 LH – ovulation
 egg  progesterone = uterus retain lining
 no fertilization = uterus release prostaglandin = menstruation