hypothalamus

• made up of neurons that send and receive electrical signals from other parts of the brain
• also releases hormones
• part of endocrine system and cns
• when we are placed into dangerous or stressful situations hypothalamus receives electrical signals from other parts of the brain
• signals include whats going on in outside world from sensory neurons in the somatic nervous system
• autonomic nervous system gives hypothalamus signals about whats going on in our own body
• based on instructions from autonomic and somatic systems hypothalamus sends information to pituitary gland by releasing hormones to bloodstream
• these instructions tell pituitary gland to communicate with other glands in body telling them to increase or decrease hormones
• fight or flight helps insure our survival