Exam two

Describe the condition known as seasonal affective disorder, and discuss the treatment of this condition

SAD is a type of depression that is related to changes in season. Symptoms include: depression, low energy, changes in sleeping and appetite. Treatment might be therapy (light and cognitive) and some medications

How is the pineal gland functionally related to the adrenal medulla?

Soma in the CNS will extend out and synapse with the adrenal medulla (middle part of adrenal gland) and then secretion epinephrine and norepinephrine (a part of sympathetic nervous system (autonomic)).

Describe the exact anatomic location of the pineal gland, and describe the effect of light on the production of melatonin

The pineal gland is a part of the epithalamus and secretes melatonin and regulates the sleep wake cycle (body or circadian rhythm).

synaptic communication

chemical diffuses across synaptic cleft and causes change in postsynaptic membrane

hormones

chemical secreted by endocrine cells that are carried through the bloodstream to act on other parts of the body

pheromone communication

chemical signal release outside the body and affects other members of the same species

target cell feedback

hormone acts on its target cells and has a biological effect

endocrine communication

hormone released into blood stream to selectively affect distant target organs

circadian rhythm of hormone secretion

levels vary rhythmically throughout the day

pulsatile pattern of hormone secretion

produced in small amounts, often bursts

autocrine communication

released chemical acts on releasing cell itself and thereby affects its own activity

List some environmental stresses that can affect pineal function.

Light pollution and stress. Stress bc of cortisol can affect melatonin production. Light pollution bc it stimulates the pathway that also affects melatonin production

Describe the use of melatonin in the treatment of "jet lag" and insomnia associated with aging

Melatonin can affect sleep wake cycles (sleep earlier and wake up earlier vice versa). It can help get you on track with time zones with use of melatonin regularly

allomone communication

a chemical signal that is released outside the body by one species and affects the behavior of other species

endocrine gland

a gland that secretes hormones into the bloodstream

endocrine system

a system og glands that make hormones

paracrine communication

released chemical signal diffuses to nearby target cells

Hormone Action

-frequently acts gradually (hours or weeks) -changes may persist for days, weeks, or years after hormone release is over -act by changing intensity or probability of evoked behaviors rather than acting as a switch to turn behaviors on or off -quantities and types released influenced by environmental factors (reciprocal relationship between behavior and hormones) -action can take as long to start and stop -may have multiple effects on different cells organs and behaviors, one behavior or physiological change can be affected by many different hormones. -interact with and affect each other -can only effect cells with its receptor

How did the pineal gland get its name?

In latin Pinea means pine cone, it was named bc it looks like a pine cone (which got translated in french to pineal).

Describe the pathway connecting the photoreceptors of the eyes to the pineal gland

It begins with the retina of the eye, and forms cranial nerve number one or optical nerve, and the retinohypothalamic tract connects retina to SCN of the hypothalamus, the pathway extends down the spinal cord that connects to the sympathetic nervous system and the long and short parasympathetic neuron synapse with the pineal gland to induce melatonin production

Define the term circadian rhythm, and cite examples of physiological events that occur as a result of such patterns

It is a natural internal process that regulates a sleep wake cycle and repeats on each rotaion of the earth, roughly 24 hrs. As well as temperature and cortisol level

Are any serious side effects known to occur as the result of the administration of melatonin?

Yes, it could lead to headache, daytime sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, confusion, sleep-walking, or nightmares

Does the structure of the pineal gland change as we age?

Yes, it shrinks with age, possibly due to calcification. Melatonin production also shrinks. Low in infants, high in children, at puberty it starts declining.

negative feedback

mechanism shuts off because desired level

Neuroendocrinology

the study of interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system