chapter 4 - BioPsych

• Endocrine system

  ·        chemical communication network 

  ·        sends messages throughout the body

  ·        Via hormones in the bloodstream
• ·        Hormones - regulate the functioning or growth of the body
• ·        Pituitary gland (master gland) secretes hormones that control growth and other parts of the endocrine system 
• The pituitary secretes hormones that are essential to growth and reproduction
• Hypothalamus - Controls the pituitary gland
• Pituitary Gland

  ·        Regulates growth

  ·        Controls thyroid, ovaries or testes, pancreas, and adrenal cortex

  ·        Regulates water & salt metabolism

  ·        The "master gland"

   
• Pineal gland

  ·        Small, pinecone shaped gland

  ·        Secretes hormone melatonin, dictated by light

  ·       helps your body know when it's time to sleep / circadian rhythm
• Thyroid

  ·        Located at the neck

  ·        Regulates metabolism through secretion of hormones (thyroxin)
• ·        Hormone deficiency = stunted growth & mental retardation
• ·        Oversecretion = high metabolism, weight loss, and nervousness

   
• Adrenal Cortex

  ·        (outer part) secrete CORTISOL stress hormones that regulate sugar and salt balances and help the body resist stress
• Adrenal Medulla

  ·        (inner part) secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline that arouse the body to deal with stress and emergencies.
• Pancreas

  ·        Regulates the level of sugar in the bloodstream by secreting insulin and glucagon
• ·        Insulin lowers blood sugar by making excess sugar be stored in the liver.
• ·        Glucagon makes the liver release sugar into the bloodstream thereby raising blood sugar.

   
• Ovaries (female)

  ·        Affect physical development, reproductive organs, and sexual behavior

  ·        Produce hormones that regulate sexual development, ovulation, and growth of sex organs.

   
• Testes (male)

  ·        Affect physical development, reproductive organs, and sexual behavior.

  ·        Produce hormones that regulate sexual development production of sperm, and growth of sex organs.
• Neuroendocrine System: Glands

  -Male testes produce sperm cells

  -Female ovaries produce ova
• Fertilization - Sperm cell + ovum = zygote
• Androgens - are crucial for male sexual and reproductive function. eg., testosterone (most common) - regulate sex drive (bido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and production of red blood cells and sperm.
• Estrogens - group of hormones that play important role in the normal sexual and reproductive development of women. e g., estradiol (most common)- to mature and maintain the reproductive system.
• Adult testes release more androgens and ovaries more estrogens
• Progestins - also present in both sexes - e.g., progesterone prepares uterus and breasts for pregnancy.

   
• Female Gonadal Hormone - Levels are Cyclic

  ·        The levels of gonadal and gonadotropic hormones go through a cycle that repeats itself every 28 days or so.

  ·        Regular hormone fluctuations that control the female menstrual cycle.
• • Male Gonadal Hormone Levels Are Steady

  ·        Levels of gonadal and gonadotropic hormones change little from day to day.
• Regulation by Neural Signals

  ·        All endocrine glands, with the exception of the anterior pituitary, are directly regulated by signals from the nervous system.

   
• Regulation by Hormonal Signals

  ·        The hormones themselves also influence hormone release. E.g. Tropic Hormones of Pituitary influence Gonadal Hormones

   
• Regulation by Nonhormonal Chemicals

  ·        Circulating chemicals other than hormones can play a role in regulating hormone levels.

  ·        Glucose, calcium, and sodium levels in the blood all influence the release of particular hormones.
• Meat - Estrogen Dominance 

  • Difficulty losing weight

  • Breast tenderness

  • Ovarian cysts
• Sugar - Insulin Resistance

  • Weight gain

  • Sugar addiction

   
• Fruit - High Leptin

  • Excessive hunger

  • Weight gain
• Caffeine - Imbalanced Cortisol

  • Stress

  • Poor sleep

  • Hunger
• Grains - Imbalanced Growth Hormones

  • Stuffy nose

  • Skin reactions

  • Sinusistis
• Dairy - Low Thyroid/Insulin Resistance

  • Bloating

  • Exhaustion

  • Hair loss
• Toxins - High Leptin

  • Excessive hunger

  • Weight gain
• Humans are dimorphic - exist in two forms
• Genetic information on the sex chromosomes normally determines male or female development

   
• ·        Cortex - potential to be an ovary
• ·        Medulla - potential to be a testis
• ·        Initially there is a primordial gonad