Hormones and Behaviors
Hormones and Behaviors
Sarah Wegner
BEH/225
December 12, 2014
Nancy Ault
Hormones and Behaviors
The endocrine system plays a big part in the production and distribution of hormones into the body. These hormones can affect an individual’s behavior greatly. Hormones such as estrogen affect a woman’s moods and emotions; steroid hormones cross the bloodstream directly to the brain and affect the neurons directly. This action can cause changes in behavior for both men and women. The endocrine system acts as a communication device within the human body, working in tandem with the nervous system to communicate with body’s other internal systems. Both the nervous and endocrine systems send messages to various places within the human body.
The endocrine system is made up of several different endocrine glands. They include the pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland and adrenal gland. Each gland secretes different hormones that have many different effects on the body and its behavior. A hormone is a chemical that is secreted from a gland that then affects bodily functions or behavior.
The pituitary gland is called the “master gland”. It is called this because its hormones influence other endocrine glands. Oxytocin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. This hormone helps in regulating behaviors related to happiness such as sexual activity, social bonding and helps to reduce stress. Oxytocin also plays a role in pregnancy and labor. The pituitary gland causes contractions in the uterus during labor and stimulates the ducts of the breasts to help eject milk.
The adrenal gland is located under the back of the rib cage on top of the kidneys. The adrenal gland helps do several things like arouse the body, regulates salt balance, adjust the body to stress and affects sexual functioning. Epinephrine is a hormone released by the adrenal gland. This hormone is associated with fear and is what helps arouse the body. Epinephrine is most commonly known as adrenaline,
Sarah Wegner
BEH/225
December 12, 2014
Nancy Ault
Hormones and Behaviors
The endocrine system plays a big part in the production and distribution of hormones into the body. These hormones can affect an individual’s behavior greatly. Hormones such as estrogen affect a woman’s moods and emotions; steroid hormones cross the bloodstream directly to the brain and affect the neurons directly. This action can cause changes in behavior for both men and women. The endocrine system acts as a communication device within the human body, working in tandem with the nervous system to communicate with body’s other internal systems. Both the nervous and endocrine systems send messages to various places within the human body.
The endocrine system is made up of several different endocrine glands. They include the pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland and adrenal gland. Each gland secretes different hormones that have many different effects on the body and its behavior. A hormone is a chemical that is secreted from a gland that then affects bodily functions or behavior.
The pituitary gland is called the “master gland”. It is called this because its hormones influence other endocrine glands. Oxytocin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. This hormone helps in regulating behaviors related to happiness such as sexual activity, social bonding and helps to reduce stress. Oxytocin also plays a role in pregnancy and labor. The pituitary gland causes contractions in the uterus during labor and stimulates the ducts of the breasts to help eject milk.
The adrenal gland is located under the back of the rib cage on top of the kidneys. The adrenal gland helps do several things like arouse the body, regulates salt balance, adjust the body to stress and affects sexual functioning. Epinephrine is a hormone released by the adrenal gland. This hormone is associated with fear and is what helps arouse the body. Epinephrine is most commonly known as adrenaline,